Schedule of Events April 4-5, 2019 Nebraskan Student Union Ponderosa Room

Thursday, April 4 Undergraduate Research Day & Graduate Program Fair

7:30 am to 9:00 am Students set up posters

9:00 am to 11:00 am Poster Judging

12:00 pm to 1:15 pm Luncheon with Guest Speaker, Addison Heeren (Ponderosa A & B)

1:30 pm to 3:30 pm Oral Presentations Open Poster Viewing Graduate Program Fair

3:30 pm Awards Ceremony & Reception (Ponderosa A & B)

Friday, April 5 Graduate Research Day

8:00 am to 11:00 am Graduate Student Oral Presentations, Open Poster Viewing

11:00 am to 12:00 am Graduate Research Awards and Social

Schedule of Events | 2 Guest Speaker Addison Heeren

Addison graduated from UNK with a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theater Performance. Since graduating Addison has become the Resident Prop Master at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City. To those that do not know, a Prop Master is the person responsible for every “thing” on stage in a theatrical performance. This includes furniture, food, special effects, weapons, and quite often, fake blood. In his last four and a half years in NYC, he has overseen the props to over 170 different productions and has had the pleasure of working with great theater and film personalities such as Joel Grey, Ralph Macchio, Pamela Adlon, Mike Birbiglia, Aundrea Burns, and Donna McKechnie.

Addison has had the great opportunity to work on some very exciting projects in the past few years. He supervised the props for Fidler Afn Dakh, the American premiere of Fiddler on the Roof spoken and sung entirely in Yiddish. He was flown to the Netherlands to install Jersey Boys on the Norwegian Cruise Line - Bliss. He supervised the Off Broadway transfer of A Clockwork Orange direct from London, England. And he also constructed props for Mike Birbiglia’s recent Broadway show The New One (a specialized fitted sheet that keeps a sleepwalker in their bed so they do not harm themselves while asleep).

Addison was an Undergraduate Research Fellow at UNK. He studied the hero’s journey as it pertains to the Rock Musical. His research culminated in a lecture recital examining the chord structures and key signatures of the musical Next To Normal. He then wrote, casted, directed, and accompanied fellow students performing selections from the musical to accompany his research.

While at UNK, Addison was taught and directed by Dr. Sharon Campbell, Dr. Anne Foradori, Jack Garrison, Janice Fronczak, and Darin Himmerich. It is to these generous and talented professors that Addison owes much of his success today. Even though Addison has somewhat shied away from the spotlight on stage, he still has a passion for singing and playing piano. Quite often, you can still find him sneaking into a piano practice room. Feel free to follow his adventures on Instagram: @propstitutenyc

3 | Guest Speaker Table of Contents

Undergraduate Poster Abstracts...... 5 Fine Arts & Humanities...... 5 Behavioral & Social Sciences...... 7 Natural & Physical Sciences...... 13 Professional & Applied Studies...... 24

Undergraduate Performance Schedule...... 33

Undergraduate Performance Abstracts...... 33

Undergraduate Oral Presentation Schedule...... 34

Undergraduate Oral Presentation Abstracts...... 36

Graduate Poster Abstracts...... 46 Behavioral & Social Sciences...... 46 Professional & Applied Studies...... 48

Graduate Oral Presentation Schedule...... 50

Graduate Oral Presentation Abstracts...... 52

Index...... 58

Table of Contents | 4 Undergraduate Poster Abstracts

Poster U02 – Emma Lee Fine Arts & Humanities Mentor: Sonja Bickford Title: Assessment and Modes of Application of Aquaponic Communication Systems in Classrooms Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture and Poster U01 – Matthew Fischer hydroponic technology to grow both fish and plants Mentor: Sonja Bickford together in a closed-loop system. While aquaponics can Title: Development and Testing of K-12 Aquaponics play a role in increasing food security, it may also be a Curriculum potential educational tool because of its interdisciplinary Aquaponics is the combining of aquaculture and nature (Heart 2013, pg 7). Systems come in many sizes and horticulture that is sustainable and discharges less waste styles providing users the choice of system size, colors, than other methods (Lennard, 2004). Easily portable and sound levels, and food production. In addition, the systems sustainable, aquaponics systems have during the past promote and provide health, well being, and educational decade been implemented into classrooms, giving more benefits. The study’s main question was to identify the most hands-on ways of teaching agricultural methods, biological important types of the benefits of aquaponic systems for systems, etc. The literature review conducted has added elementary aged children. to this understanding of the usefulness of aquaponics To identify the benefits of the systems in classrooms systems and has also shown the importance of increasing anonymous observations were done in second and fourth the knowledge of why innovating curriculum is important, grade classrooms, looking specifically at the differences in and how aquaponics curriculum can benefit K-12 classes. classroom dynamics of classes with verses without systems. This study aims to identify and create curriculum that can In addition, a semi-structured survey was distributed be paired with the in-classroom aquaponics system to to teachers at 17 different schools around the central best utilize the systems in teaching material according to Nebraska region with systems. The t-test shed light on the existing educational standards in a K-12 setting. The aim of significance of teachers who are newer to teaching and the study is to write curriculum to be used with the systems have been in the profession for 10 years or less versus to provide examples of curriculum that could be paired those that have been teaching for over 20 years. The newer with ongoing in classroom instruction. A suggested follow teachers believed more strongly in the benefits of the live up would be to test the curriculum in order to assess the plants and fish in their classrooms as well as using the ones teachers prefer and which the students best respond systems as a classroom management tool than those who to. had been teaching longer. For example, a teacher who has Based on the curriculum written and developed during been teaching for four years said this about the system’s this study, it has been found that aquaponics can be used benefits in their classroom, “students are very engaged as a model for instruction in the classroom because of its and interested, love how it influences the classroom engagement of the students and the plethora of biological atmosphere as a whole”. systems that can be taught through it as an example. The curriculum wrote was about photosynthesis in the system, and the water cycle though the system. It is able to be easily English set up and is adaptable to students’ instructional needs as Poster U03 – Theodore Dean Degner well as classroom and teacher needs. Aquaponics systems Mentor: Rebecca Umland are easily adaptable to instructional and curriculum needs Title: Luderature: An Emerging Medium’s Ascension to due to the variety of variables that can be changed and Artform studied within the system. The interactive medium of video games is still a young art form. It offers experiences that are concurrently narrotological and ludological. For this reason, I coined the term “Luderature”, a portmanteau of the word literature

5 | Undergraduate and the latin prefix “ludere,” meaning to play. This shows Music & Performing Arts that the properties of luderature are two-fold, serving both to tell a story as well as being interactive in nature; how the Poster U05 – Tierney Casper player’s choice impacts the game experience. This project Mentor: Sharon Campbell examined various luderary works, and compared them Title: Swimming Lessons, Autism, and the Benefits of Music to literary antecedents. Many works of luderature have Throughout the past three years I have been researching remediated narrative structures, typologies, and themes the benefits of music when used in swimming lessons from other works, following a typical pattern that many with students who have been diagnosed with Autism. In art-forms go through during their infancy. What this means December of 2018 I was able to apply my music techniques is that luderature, as a medium, is transitioning from being in swimming lessons with a student who has been solely created and viewed as entertainment, to developing diagnosed with Autism. I found that many of my music into a distinguished art form. It is justifying its merit as techniques were successful and helped the student to an art form through its transposition of traditional story learn swimming strokes much more quickly than my non- structures, characters, and overarching ideas onto a new music techniques. However, I also found that each case of medium (electronic games)-remediation providing vitality Autism is unique which means the music activities in the to traditional narratives and lending legitimacy to the swimming lesson need to be tailored to the student. My experience of gaming. Luderature, having become more Student Research Day poster presents my project’s findings established as an art form, has also started to become self and my conclusions for future studies. reflective. Games are now also being created due to the inspiration the developer(s) had from another work within Poster U06 – Terran Homburg the medium. My project approached this by examining Mentor: Sharon Campbell a handful of works of luderature, the literature and/or Title: Isis’ Role in Egyptian Mythology and her Effect on Society and Music luderature that inspired and influenced them, and how The purpose of this research is to find and explore the they impacted the medium at large with the ideas they interrelations between Egyptian mythology and early explored or fleshed out with their creation. Egyptian society and music. This study traces the path of Isis throughout Egyptian myth, and uncovers the evolution History of her character all through the ancient Egyptian period. This was accomplished through a literature review of Poster U04 – Annie Pflaum the topic, surveying both modern and ancient texts, Mentor: Christopher Steinke spells, hymns, and stories devoted to the goddess Isis. An Title: Memory of the Croatian War of Independence annotated bibliography was then created, synthesizing The learning objective of conducting research on the all relevant information on the rise in importance and Croatian War of Independence was to gain a better influence of Isis in all aspects of ancient Egyptian culture. understanding of the ongoing memory of the war within As this research progresses, it will culminate in an original the country, and its impact on present-day Croatia. creative work based on the role portrayed by Isis that Memory of the war has not only had a personal impact on permeates ancient Egyptian and modern culture. Croatians, but has affected the way in which the economy is run, the places that are advertised for tourism, and how Croatia has chosen to present itself and integrate into the European sense of identity. I sought out primary and secondary resources connected with the war, whether that be archival material, journal articles, and mementos from my own trip to Croatia, which inspired this project in the first place. Throughout this project, I have gained information and knowledge about a source of relatively recent conflict that is not commonly known or understood in the twenty-first century.

Undergraduate | 6 and entertainment, but in the case of exaggeration cards Behavioral & Social they also promoted and “sold” Nebraska to a larger audience. This study begins by evaluating trade cards and Sciences the history of postcards, then transitions to focus on the importance of Nebraska exaggeration cards. Geography Poster U09 – Andrew Heine Poster U07 – Claire Christner Co-Author: Brennen Cruise Mentors: Paul Burger & Jason Combs Mentor: Vijendra Boken Title: A Geographical Analysis of Medicaid Expansion Title: Impact of Irrigation on the Ogallala Aquifer Politics in Nebraska Sustainability of the Ogallala Aquifer has been a major Medicaid covers 74.5 million individuals nationally of issue particularly due to increasing irrigated area in which 243,000 participants reside in Nebraska comprising Nebraska. This study examines the trend in irrigation in 13 percent of the state’s population (NCSL 2018). Under the Nebraska and how it has influenced the groundwater table. Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Medicaid Expansion provision Data on the groundwater table at different places will be states can receive additional matching federal funds by collected from the United States Geological Survey as well covering those up to 138 percent of the federal poverty as personal sources on farms. Rainfall data within the level (NAMI 2019). Initiative 427 was approved by voters aquifer zone will be collected from the National Climatic in November of 2018 following several failed attempts in Data Center. The relationships among the irrigated acres, Nebraska’s legislature to pass expansion and is estimated the precipitation, and the groundwater levels within to add an additional 45,000 to the rolls lowering the overall Nebraska will be studied and presented, reflecting the uninsured rate to 9.6 percent from 12.4 percent. (Forbes groundwater trend for the future. It will be further analyzed 2018). Currently, thirty-six states have approved Medicaid if is needed to limit irrigation in Nebraska in order to keep Expansion (KFF 2019). the aquifer at a sustainable level for future use. This project examines recent efforts in Nebraska to expand Medicaid. Several bills have been introduced in Nebraska’s Poster U10 – Rene Ingersoll unicameral to expand Medicaid but failed to garner the Mentor: John Bauer Title: The Spatial Arrangement of Shinto Shrines needed votes. Initiative 427 placed Medicaid Expansion on Traveling across Japan, one image stands out on the the November 2018 ballot where voters approved it 53.6% landscape to a foreigner. From the most rural towns, to to 46.4%. GIScience is used as the framework for analysis the peak of a mountain, to the bustling streets in Tokyo, and comparison of the spatial variations in support by the torii gate, which leads to a Shinto shrine, can be seen legislative district for Initiative 427 and the failed votes in across the Japanese landscape. Shintoism is a form of the legislature to pass it. Keywords: GIScience, Medicaid religion found only in Japan. More than 80,000 Shinto Expansion, Nebraska shrines exist in the country. As a foreigner to Japan there Poster U08 – Tate Combs is something alluring about the torii gate and a shrine that Mentor: Jason Combs can be found nowhere else. Upon first visiting a Shinto Title: Nebraska’s Exaggeration Postcards: Giant shrine, is it clear that there are more elements than just the Grasshoppers and Two-Ton Potatoes Along with Other Facts torii that add to the image of Shintoism. Some of the other about the Plains elements include: the ema to hang a wish, the chøzubachi, In the first few decades of the early 1900s, the United where one cleanses themselves, memorial stones, and States was postcard crazy. Thousands of cards were stores to buy souvenirs or amulets. In 2018, I participated exchanged daily. Many of the cards were simply a form in a study abroad program in Japan, and while I was there, of “self-congratulation,” often demonstrating signs of I completed a field study of Shinto shrines. As I traveled to development and progress—churches, libraries, prominent various shrines, I documented the location of the different residential districts, and schools, for instance. For many, elements through photography and later drew diagrams postcards boastfully declared “I belong here,” “This is my to compare the spatial relations of the elements. When place,” and “This is my kind of place.” This project examines comparing the shrines there were some similarities of the Nebraska postcards, specifically not just postcards but location of objects. For example, the shrine usually faced exaggeration postcards. For Nebraska, exaggeration cards towards the east, the ema and fortunes were closer to the fall into two categories—the natural world (ducks, fish, store, and the store was placed near the shrine for easy grasshoppers, and rabbits) and the so-called developed access. Altogether, the arrangement of Shinto shrines do or “cultured” world (carrots, corn, onions, pumpkins, and follow some similar patterns, with the torii gate always wheat). Postcards were not only used for communication marking the entrance.

7 | Undergraduate Poster U11 – Haley Roush spatially analyzed Nebraska’s century farms. The Aksarben Co-Author: Brock Belgum Foundation in Omaha maintains a database for Pioneer Mentor: Vijendra Boken Farms (Century Farms) and Heritage Farms—those held Title: Declining Water Levels in the Colorado River Due to by a single family for 150 years. This project determines Crop Irrigation what factors impact long-term land ownership rates in The Colorado River is vital water source used for a number Nebraska. This study also incorporates historical geography of activities for seven states within the Western part of principles and also employ GIScience to analyze and map the country, but its largest use is crop irrigation. It helps findings. irrigate nearly 90% of the crops in a 256,000 square mile area surrounding the river, producing food for millions Poster U14 – Natasha Winfield of people. But, in recent decades the amount of water Mentor: Paul Burger drawn out of the Colorado has increased. With the lack of Title: Using GIScience and Marketing Geography to Define precipitation falling in the Colorado River Basin, plus the the Market Area and Segment In-Home Health Care Customers in Des Moines, Iowa. increase in population size, the river has found its way on As the United States population continues to age and the top of America’s most endangered river list. The state life expectancies increase, more Americans are looking that relies on the river most for irrigation is Colorado. for alternatives to retirement centers and assisted Nearly two-third of the crops within the state use the living facilities. A growing service industry among this Colorado River for irrigation and the irrigated area has demographic group is in-home health care that allows increased over years. This study examines the increase in individuals to remain in their primary residence while irrigated acres, the decline in the discharge of the river over receiving a basic level of health and personal care. One the years and suggestions to combat the overuse of the such business in the Des Moines, IA, metropolitan area river in order to make it more sustainable for the future. is Accessible Home Health Care (AHHC). This study Poster U12 – Jaden Russell combines the principles of marketing geography and Co-Authors: Matthew Kostenbauer & Ashley GIScience technology to address-match their customer Markham locations. Using a combination of network and kernel Mentor: Vjendra Boken density analysis, the spatial extent of AHHC’s market area is Title: Cost-Benefit Analysis of Irrigation and Dryland defined followed by a block-group level socio-demographic Farming analysis of the customers. Results from the market area The use of irrigation has proven to produce higher yields delineation and customer segmentation provide AHHC for farmers across Nebraska, but it is expensive to start and with a basis for understanding their service area and aid in may not be an option for some lower income farmers. The the marketing decision process. dryland practice allows farmers to save their money on irrigation systems and maintenance, but with lower yields. The cost-benefit analysis will show whether switching to Kinesiology & Sports Sciences irrigation from dryland farming is worth the investment. Poster U15 – Katelyn Unvert Sprinkler irrigation will be the main point of focus with Mentor: Matthew R Bice regards to how much the system costs and for the yields- Title: Aquaponics: Do classroom project only help students? comparisons with the dryland farming. Such an analysis Approaching overall health within schools commonly will help a farmer decide if irrigated farming will be a focuses on students; however, teachers are equally profitable option for them. important in addressing child health. In the 2017-2018 school year, seventeen classrooms were equipped with Poster U13 – Natasha Winfield Aquaponics growing systems and curriculum to guide Mentors: Jason Combs & Paul Burger implementation. These systems were implemented within Title: Spatial Examination of Nebraska’s Pioneer and Heritage Farms the classrooms and curricula focused on health and Land tenure and ownership rates have long been science. The purpose of this study was to determine the issues under consideration in the United States (Diller impact on teacher health consciousness and perceptions 1941; Clawson 1964). More recently, the examination of of classroom Aquaponics systems (teaching innovations) century farms—a term to note agricultural land held in a during implementation. single family for more than 100 years—has also become METHOD. Rural middle school science teachers from popular. Studies examining century farms in several other Nebraska participated in this study. Each participating states—Ohio and Tennessee, for instance—have evaluated teacher had a minimum of 75 students in their class. patterns of land tenure and ownership over time (Van West Teachers received their own Aquaponics growing system 1986; Verstraten 2007). To our knowledge no studies have and curriculum including inactive activities focusing on Undergraduate | 8 growing food. Electronic surveys included topics on health an impact on social emotional health, but the current consciousness and perception of the aquaponics systems study did not yield significant findings. CONCLUSIONS. were distributed to teachers at the beginning (August) and Aquaponics systems promote hands-on learning that can end (April) of year. spark an interest in scientific and other STEM fields in RESULTS. Teacher’s reported significant increases in middle school students. As students take incentive to learn perceptions of the Aquaponics teaching model. Further, on their own with the system and system’s data, they feel individual scale items were analyzed to assess the more confident in their knowledge of course material. This measured constructs and reported rating of teacher’s increase in self-efficacy can translate not only to academic Health Consciousness increased; however, the statistical settings but also to interests that promote career choices in significance was not established at 0.05. Ratings of science/health fields. Innovation Perceptions reported an increase in Teachers being interested in implementing Aquaponics curriculum (p = 0.077) and statistically significant increase in Teachers Political Science thought this project was highly advantageous (p = 0.036). Poster U17 – Braydon Conell Discussion. Data suggests the implementation of Mentor: Satoshi Machida Aquaponics growing systems had an indirect impact on Title: Media Slant in Immigrant-related News Stories teachers. Teachers play an integral role in the development Immigration into the United States – especially from of children and being open to new innovations in the Mexico – has become a contentious issue both at the state classroom can enhance the educational environment. and local level and the federal level. One aspect on the Teachers can influence student health decisions by acting perception of immigration is news media. Past studies as positive role models. Presumably, teachers who are looked at media slant in communities located at distances more conscious of their health will potentially make to the U.S.-Mexico border. This study uses some of the healthier decisions that can diffuse to students. A larger same parameters as prior research in this field, but it is sample size is needed to draw concrete conclusions. measuring media bias in local communities that have large Hispanic or Latino populations instead of proximity Poster U16 – Paula Zakrzewski to the border. Data is collected from eight communities in Co-Author: Jourdan Ringenberg the State of Nebraska: four communities that have large Mentors: Matthew Bice, Angela Hollman, & Dick Meyer Hispanic/Latino populations and four that have small Title: Growing Activities + Kids = Science Motivation! Hispanic/Latino populations. Using content analysis, Students in middle schools are at a fundamental age newspaper articles are scored on a 3-point scale based where they must begin to assume some responsibilities on the tone of the article toward immigration. These data that their parents and other authorities have previously are then compared to other parameters to control for done for them. This transition can seem difficult as the compounding factors in determining why media bias majority of their time is spent sitting in a classroom. This is exists, such as voting patterns and paper ownership. common and can often feel monotonous to students, and Additionally, similar to past research, this study analyzes at this early age, they can lose interest in the STEM fields. the difference between news and opinion in today’s media. This project involved incorporating aquaponics growing systems in classrooms across the state of Nebraska to teach Poster U18 – Adrian Gomez-Ramos science & health. The purpose of this study was to explore Mentor: Peter Longo the influence of interactive growing activities, motivation Title: Affirming Affirmative Action? to learn, and social emotional health. METHOD. Middle The debate between equity and equality in the United school students (n = 523) in rural Nebraska participated States is an ongoing endeavor that continues to challenge in the Aquaponics growing project, and their classrooms policymakers and citizens. For more than half a century, were completely outfitted with full functioning growing policies have been put forward to promote diversity and systems. Surveys were distributed to each participating ensure impartiality. The most notable of these actions is school to be completed electronically by middle school affirmative action. Decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court students at three different intervals over the course of shape the nature of affirmative action policies. The ongoing a school year (Pre, Mid, Post). The measured variables case, Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and of interest included: students’ (a) motivation to learn Fellows of Harvard College et al, continues to percolate science and (b) social emotional health. RESULTS. Upon through the judicial system. This case illustrates the the implementation of the Aquaponics growing system, dynamic nature of affirmative action policies. In this students’ motivation to learn science constructs of self- paper I will analyze affirmative action landmark cases; efficacy (F = 12.97, p = 0.001) and active learning (F = evaluate affirmative action policies; address the impact 4.09; p = 0.01) significantly increased. We hypothesized of the Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and 9 | Undergraduate Fellows of Harvard College et al case; and conclude with receiving water through the spout, then they will be possibilities for the future of affirmative action. moved on to the testing phase. This phase includes the rats undergoing testing involving the use of an avoidable Poster U19 – Nicole Kent mild shock as an aversive stimulus to motivate the subjects Mentor: Peter Longo to correctly discriminate between two LEDs of identical Title: An Analysis of the Uninsured Population and Access to wavelengths. One LED acts as the “safe” stimulus to Healthcare in Rural Nebraska continue drinking awhile the other acts as the “warning” In the United States, rural populations face numerous stimulus that a shock will soon begin if contact with the disparities in obtaining healthcare when compared to spout is not broken. With trails of repeated avoidance of urban peoples. While about 20% of the population live the “warning” LED, and contact with the drinking spout in rural areas, only about 10% of physicians work in rural during the activation of the “safe” LED, we can confidently settings. Not only are hospitals serving rural residents conclude that the rats being studied can perceive the typically under staffed, they are also under resourced in wavelengths being tested. The results will also give insight terms of clinics, finances, and technology. Additionally, on how well the different wavelengths can be seen by the national statistics have shown that residents of rural areas subjects based upon their performances and allow us to have poorer health behaviors, such as consuming fewer either confirm or refute previous research findings. fruits and vegetables, exercising less, and using tobacco products more when compared to residents of urban Poster U21 – Abigail Borgman areas. The cost of comparable healthcare procedures Mentor: Krista Fritson and visits is higher in rural facilities compared to urban Title: Effects of Lavender Essential Oil on Anxiety and Locus hospitals. Based on the percentage of the population of Control that is uninsured and the Index of Relative Rurality as a The use of aroma therapy and essential oils is growing in composite measure of rural-urban status, we discover a popularity, and there are claims that lavender essential oil clear relationship between rurality and rates of uninsured has benefits of reducing anxiety, depression, restlessness, peoples (p<0.00001). This issue is only compounded by and insomnia (Nordvist, 2018). However, there are limited the shortage of rural healthcare providers, the increased empirical studies exploring the effects of lavender essential cost of healthcare in rural facilities, and the poorer health oil on anxiety and stress, with mixed results in research behaviors of rural populations. All these issues combined that has been completed. The purpose of my research is lead to the disparities we see in the health of rural peoples to expand on the knowledge of lavender essential oil use today. and its possible effects on anxiety and locus of control. Although Locus of Control is a fairly stable characteristic, I want explore any possible effects. My research includes Psychology college age individuals at a Midwestern university. I Poster U20 – Jake Andreasen hypothesize that individuals who use the lavender essential Mentor: Evan Hill oil will experience a decrease in anxiety and an increase in Title: Accessing Cone-based Vision in Rats via Conditioned locus of control. A Repeated Measures ANOVA is used to Suppression/Avoidance analyze the data. Rats have long been said to have poor color eyesight with physiological studies showing that rat’s retinal Poster U22 – KC Carrillo cones only comprise about 1% of their total retinal cells. Co-Author: Kendra Hoffert Through retinal cell studies, it has been predicted that Mentor: Julie Lanz Title: The Effects of Mindful Meditation Using a Mobile App rat cone eyesight behaves in a dichromic fashion with The effects of mindful meditation using a mobile peak cone sensitivity in around 358nm and 510nm. This application will be examined in 105 working adults. study aims to confirm these physiological findings via the Participants were recruited from a local school system and use of a behavioral training method called conditioned city agencies. Using the app, Smiling Mind, we will evaluate suppression/avoidance. This will be done with the use the positive effects of mindful meditation. Participants of four Long-Evans Rats, two males and two females, of were randomly divided into the control or intervention whom will be subjected to LEDs of 5 different wavelengths. group. The intervention group will take a pre- and post- These LEDs will have wavelengths 380nm, 405nm, 460nm, survey, use the app five times a week for ten minutes, 510nm, and 605nm. This behavioral training will begin by and will take six weekly mood surveys. The control group depriving the subjects of water and only allowing them will take the pre- and post-survey, along with the six to drink during daily training sessions. To obtain water, weekly mood surveys. In the pre-survey, we compared the animals make contact with a touch-sensitive spout, which intervention to the control group and discovered that there delivers water upon contact. After the rats are comfortable was no significant difference in burnout or job satisfaction. Undergraduate | 10 Poster U23 – Laura Fisher Poster U25 – Kendra Hoffert Mentor: Julie Lanz Co-Author: KC Carrillo Title: Applicant Reactions to Social Media Screening: Mentor: Krista Fritson Individual Differences and LGBT Views Affecting Title: The Effects of Mindful Meditation on Anxiety and Life Organizational Attractiveness Satisfaction Using a Mobile App The morals and values expressed by a company, The mindfulness practices have increased in popularity especially regarding LGBT acceptance, can affect how over recent years. The increased flexibility afforded by much applicants and customers choose to involve mobile apps has made practicing mindfulness more themselves with that particular company (Melissa & available to the average person. This study investigates how Dustina, 2016). Applicant reactions are essential for that a mindfulness app (Smiling Mind) affects life satisfaction reason and because the better fit an employee is for a and anxiety. Participants are employees of a small city and company the better work they will do for that company a local public school system. Participants were randomly (McCarthy Bauer, Truxillo, Anderson, Costa, & Ahmed, assigned to the meditation (N=51) or non-mediation 2017). Sixty-four adults (48 females and 16 males) from a group (N=54). All participants complete a pre-survey, six Midwestern University in the United States participated weekly mood surveys, and a post-survey. The meditation in an experimental study about applicant reactions. group completes a six-week mindful intervention. Pre- This study was a 2 (social media background check) x survey results show no significant difference between the 2 (family condition) between-subjects experimental mediation and non-meditation group in anxiety or life design. Participants were randomly assigned one out of satisfaction. The data are analyzed using an ANOVA. This four conditions. The experiment consisted of a fake job study advances current research on mindful apps and the advertisement that included the description of the job potential for positive outcomes. a restaurant manager in Kearney, the family condition (heterosexual or homosexual couple eating dinner), and Poster U26 – Noah Renken a social media background check (requiring applicants Mentor: Megan Strain to provide usernames to their personal accounts or not.) Title: When It Comes From a Comic vs. a Politician: The Role of Comedy and News Content in Individuals’ Responses to There was no significant difference in how attracted the Sexual Assault Scenarios participants were to an organization with a social media Given the prevalence of stories about rape and sexual background check or without one. Participants who were assault that have permeated the news in recent months high in negative affect were no more or less attracted to the (due in large part to the #MeToo movement), we believe organization regardless if they saw a background check or the effects of these media stories warrants investigation. not. Attitudes towards homosexuality, whatever picture We are interested in examining the differences between presented, did not affect how the participant felt about the news media and comedy in their presentation of content organization. In this sample of college students, seeing a regarding sexual assault. fake restaurant demonstrate acceptance of a homosexual The goals of the current study are to examine whether couple did not change their opinion of the organization. differences exist between these media types, to determine The implications of this research will be discussed whether they may affect response to sexual assault. More Poster U24 – Autumn Hallberg specifically, we are examining how humorous or non- Mentor: Julie Lanz humorous messages that reinforce the status quo, subvert Title: Exploring Essential Oils in College Students it, (or are neutral) may influence individuals’ perceptions The pressure to succeed academically is a top concern of rape, or their anticipated behavior in response to it (e.g., among college students and is correlated with stress. willingness to intervene). Essential oils have become increasingly popular and Based on the extant literature, the current study tested are being used for their restorative effects. For example, competing hypotheses. One, based on the work of Li, Kim, lavender has sedative compounds; rosemary has and O’Boyle (2017), suggests that reinforcing news about stimulating compounds. Participants were undergraduate rape may elicit more traditional views toward rape, and students (N=20). Baseline stress was measured, stress was subsequently more “status quo” behaviors (e.g., doubting induced through the Sing-A-Song Stress Test. Participants a woman who reports it). Alternatively, prejudiced norm were randomly assigned to lavender or rosemary diffusion theory predicts that reinforcing humor would be more while completing a performance task. Participants’ post- likely to elicit discriminatory behavior, as a function of the stress was measured. Essential oils did not reduce stress. norm of tolerance created by the jokes (Ford & Ferguson, The lavender condition performed significantly better than 2004). rosemary on task performance. Lavender could improve Our results suggest that for the most part, individual task performance in college students. differences in perceptions of rape may be more influential

11 | Undergraduate in behavioral responses than media exposure, but Social Work additional analysis and research is needed to conclude this is the case. This study adds to the existing literature Poster U29 – Guadalupe Chavez on media influence and perceptions of/responses to rape, Co-Author: Karina Martinez by comparing news media to comedy, and integrating Mentor: Benjamin Malczyk several relevant individual differences. Our findings have Title: Ayudame! Social Services in Spanish Throughout the potential to inform future research on the role of Nebraska such factors in other important areas, such as bystander As the state of Nebraska grows more diverse (Zhang, intervention education, or possibly jury selection in 2015), the need to serve the Spanish speaking population criminal cases. grows. While services are needed in various areas, medical services and domestic violence services are among the Poster U27 – Christian A. Vera most crucial. There remains a large shortage of Spanish Mentor: Krista Forrest speaking human service professionals (Lanesskog, Piedra, Title: Effects of Police Training and Expert Testimony on & Maldonado, 2015). This study examined if hospitals Mock Juror’s Verdicts and Sentencing and agencies addressing domestic violence are able to Many factors help juries determine their decision. For assist and communicate with Spanish speakers. This study example, the expert witness’ credentials, their believability, provides further insight and guidance to agencies to better their likeability, their actual testimony, all influence jurors’ serve these specific clients. Overall, we examined agencies verdicts and sentencing. Although research has examined in 15 Nebraska cities, 5 of which had a large percentage the influence of these witness characteristics on jurors’ of Latinos. We examined websites and called agencies in perceptions and decisions, one area of research that has these cities to assess their ability to serve Spanish speaking not been examined is the juror’s perception of a police individuals. Data allowed for comparison of provision of officer’s techniques and training and the extent to which services in Spanish based on urban versus rural locations differences in training influence measures of witness as well as cities with varying percentages of Latinos. Results credibility and subsequent verdict and sentencing. A indicate the overall ability of agencies to provide services in chi-square analysis indicated there was no difference in Spanish in a cross-state sample. It is important to educate verdict as a function of type of police training. We found and bring awareness to agencies and hospitals to better no significant difference between participants who read serve the population of Spanish speakers as the services expert testimony and those who did not on their likelihood provided are essential to all. of convicting. Whether learned on-the-job or through the police academy, participants saw them both as acceptable. Poster U28 – Justin Wright Mentor: Theresa Wadkins Title: Test Effect and Knowledge Retention Information learned in college is intended to be retained beyond the test. But how long do college students retain information? The current study investigated the rate of knowledge retention among college students in a psychopathology course six weeks after the course ended. The scores of a final exam and the same exam after a six- week delay were compared. One group of participants was encouraged to prepare for the follow-up exam and the other group was not instructed to prepare. Students answered a demographic questionnaire as well as a study habit and preparedness questionnaire after the initial test (final exam) and they answered a second questionnaire after the follow-up test. The relationship between participant GPA’s and test scores was examined. Analysis and results will be discussed.

Undergraduate | 12 Poster U32 – Caleb Capellen Natural & Physical Co-Author: Jose Ortega Mentor: Surabhi Chandra, Matthew Dunworth, & Robert A. Sciences Casero Jr. Title: Hyperglycemia Increases Breast Cancer Cell and Normal Breast Epithelial Cell Proliferation Through Biology Polyamine Deregulation Poster U30 – Jackson Barnes Polyamines (spermine, spermidine, and putrescine) are Mentors: Marc Albrecht & Nate Bickford involved in basic cellular processes such as cell growth, Title: Aquaponic Comprison Study Using Commercial Feed replication, and transcription. Upregulation of polyamines and Homemade Plant-Based Feed can thus develop tumors due to hyper-proliferation of cells Two experiments were done to find alternatives to as observed in cancers of the colon, skin, prostate and commercial fish feeds focused towards developing breast. Inhibitors of polyamine pathway could prevent countries. In the first experiment two mid sized aquaponic tumor growth as shown in animal models of colon and skin systems were set up and allowed to run for 8 weeks. The cancer. Diabetic conditions further accelerate the growth systems contained tilapia fish and lettuce plants. One and metastasis of cancers such as pancreas, breast, liver, system was fed commercial fish food, the other system and colorectal, however the role of polyamines in such was fed a homemade food powder consisting of sunflower states has not been investigated. We hypothesized that seed meal, corn meal, ground brown rice, and moringa polyamine pathway rapidly affects proliferation of breast leaves. Results of both fish growth and plant growth cancer cells and normal breast epithelial cells in diabetic indicated greater growth with the commercial food. Water conditions. Breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) and normal chemistry shows there were much more nitrates present in breast epithelial cells (MCF-10A) were treated with low the commercial food system which increased the system’s glucose (LG, 5mM) or high glucose (HG, 25 mM) in the productivity. The second experiment was looking at the presence/absence of polyamine pathway inhibitors. There effect of commercial feed and pelletized homemade plant- was a time dependent increase in cell proliferation with based feed from the previous experiment. Two mid sized HG from 48-72 hr compared to LG. This was correlated aquaponic systems were used and were ran for a duration with an increase in polyamines (putrescine, spermidine) of 8 weeks. Both systems contain equal amounts of tilapia though spermine levels were not changed considerably. fish and basil plants. One system received commercial feed In addition, gene expression and activity of catabolic and the other received the homemade plant-based feed in enzymes in the polyamine pathway, spermine-spermidine a pellet form. The results showed no significance difference acetyltransferase (SSAT) and spermine oxidase (SMOX) in fish weights and plant biomass. were decreased with HG treatment, further suggesting a build-up of polyamines. Simultaneous treatment with an Poster U31 – Gabrielle Buttermore ornithine decarboxylase (polyamine synthesis enzyme) Mentor: Letitia Reichart inhibitor, difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) could prevent Title: Molecular Sexing for Spring Migratory Baltimore cell proliferation, restore polyamines, and normalize Orioles in South Central Nebraska polyamine catabolic enzymes with high glucose exposure. During May (Spring) each year, migratory Baltimore In conclusion, polyamine pathway is responsible for Orioles (BAOR) stop along the Platte River in south central proliferation of breast cancer cells and normal breast Nebraska to rest and refuel prior to continuing to migrate epithelial cells in diabetic states, which can be prevented north. Individual BAOR were trapped in south central using inhibitors of polyamine synthesis. Nebraska during migration in 2016. For some individuals, plumage characteristics did not clearly indicate the sex of Poster U33 – Audrey L. Codina the individual trapped. For these individuals, we extracted Co-Author: Derek Kleier DNA from blood samples and identified conditions for Mentor: Dawn Simon polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a specific Title: Evolution of a rRNA group I intron in the lichen region of the sex chromosome. To date we have completed Teloschistes chrysophthalmus DNA extractions for a subset of individuals captured The origin of spliceosomal introns is difficult to discern in 2016 and determined the molecular sex for multiple due to high sequence divergence and the absence of individuals in this sample. direct evidence linking an intron to its source. While spliceosomal introns are found primarily in protein- coding genes of eukaryotes, putative examples in nuclear ribosomal RNA (nrRNA) coding genes of lichen- forming and allied fungi also exist. Due to their unique

13 | Undergraduate genomic location and limited phylogenetic distribution Poster U35 – Breana Dobesh (Pezizomycotina), the nrRNA spliceosomal introns are a Mentor: Marc Albrecht potential example of a new type of recently derived intron. Title: Peppermint Essential Oil (Mentha piperita) as We specifically hypothesize that these introns arise from a Natural Repellent Against American Cockroaches degeneration of group I introns. Here we focus on one (Periplaneta americana) lineage of introns found at a single position of nrRNA in Numerous studies have been conducted over the Teloschistes chrysophthalmus. We have sequenced introns insecticidal and repelling abilities of plant essential oils. from 44 samples across the North American range of the Peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita) is one of the species and will focus on 20 of these here. A phylogeny most popular essential oils purchased by consumers. was inferred using ITS sequences and we found that Nevertheless, investigations into the insecticidal and the samples, with one exception, form a well-supported repelling properties of this oil are lacking. In this study, monophyletic group. Within this group, there are four the objective was to determine if peppermint essential oil subgroups that each have moderate to strong statistical can repel American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) support. All introns at this site have donor, acceptor and and if so what dilution is needed to do so. Peppermint branch point sequences typical of spliceosomal introns. essential oil was found to repel American cockroaches at None of the introns are canonical group I introns, but a 20% and 10% for all animals. To find the minimum percent subset may possess remnant structures. Finally, we were needed, we ran a number of trials. For each trial, American also interested in characterizing the in vivo splicing ability cockroaches were randomly selected and placed within of these introns. We found variability in splicing ability, an aquarium containing a cardboard insert covering with some appearing not to splice at all and others splicing the bottom. In one area, the bottom was coated with a though perhaps inefficiently. Sequencing of these products specific dilution of peppermint essential oil and vegetable suggest that there may be different subsets of introns oil. In another area, vegetable oil alone was used to coat within a genome that differ in splicing ability. In general, it the insert. For each trial, we waited 15 minutes after five appears that the intron at this site is exceptionally variable. animals were placed in the aquarium and noted their This would be expected in cases where there is reduced locations. Results indicate that a 2% solution of peppermint selection pressure, which is what we predict to be the case essential oil is the minimum needed to produce a for transitional introns. significantly lower repellent effect, an average repellency of 77%, than higher concentrations. The data produced in Poster U34 – Macy Cool this study may be useful to insect repellent researchers. The Mentor: Letitia Reichart results suggest a product based on peppermint essential oil Title: Preliminary Examination of Distinguishable Plumage may be possible against cockroaches. Traits for Spring Migratory Baltimore Orioles in South Central Nebraska Poster U36 – Jared Fischer Baltimore Orioles (BAOR), a species of migratory Mentor: Marc Albrecht songbird, commonly stopover in south-central Nebraska Title: Use of Infra-red Camera for Wildlife Tracking with during spring migration each year. Previous research has Drones (UAS) shown that plumage traits of young male BAOR resemble Through handheld and aerial thermal image data plumage traits of older female BAOR and the two are often collection, we investigated how air and ground difficult to distinguish in the hand. In this study, we have temperatures in different US climate zones (TX vs. organized images of BAOR trapped during Spring of 2016 to NE) affected how well organisms can be detected and identify potential traits useful to distinguish the sex of birds monitored using a consumer-grade infra-red (IR) drone with confusing plumage patterns. To date, I have identified (UAS) camera. The investigation observed animals multiple traits on individuals of known sex from birds in warmer ground temperatures Texas and Nebraska trapped in 2016. I have also identified images of individuals compared this to cooler winter ground temperatures in of confusing plumage patterns and unknown sex to be Nebraska. The tools we used were a DJI Inspire 1 drone and analyzed further. Here I present a preliminary examination a FLIR Vue Pro. Most of the images were of chickens, cattle, of potential body regions for birds of known sex that will be and horses. Images at different distances were completed. used to identify the most likely traits useful to distinguish The current resolution on consumer IR cameras is limited sex for birds with confusing plumage patterns. meaning that viewing large animals beyond 200 m is difficult and small animals beyond 50 m is difficult. This work showed that increased ground temperature does reduce the visibility of animals on IR images. Areas of ground that are bare of vegetation reflect IR light and create a more challenging situation for animal tracking.

Undergraduate | 14 Poster U37 – Sydney Keckler treatment but also to components of innate immunity Co-Author: Rishav Srivastava that resemble antibiotics in function (antimicrobial Mentors: Surabhi Chandra & Mahesh Pattabiraman peptides). Previous experiments showed that when the Title: Comparing Cytotoxic Properties of Homo- and TCA cycle gene, fumC, was disrupted, a higher tolerance to Heterodimers of Cinnamic Acid and 6-Methyl Coumarin in antimicrobial peptides was observed. Preliminary studies Breast Cancer Cells also revealed the fumC mutant had higher survival than Background/Aim. Cinnamic acid is an aromatic fatty wild type S. aureus within macrophages. To discern the acid phenylalanine deamination product obtained underlying mechanism for this phenotype, reactive oxygen from oil of cinnamon. Cinnamic acid dimers and their species, reactive nitrogen species, and pH were examined derivatives have been known to possess anti-oxidant, anti- more closely. Early results suggest the fumC knockout is inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Eucommicin A, better able to withstand the reactive oxygen stress at an a similar compound extracted from Eucommia ulmoides, acidic pH compared to wild type S. aureus. has been extensively studied and has been shown to inhibit cancer stem cells. Our aim was that cinnamic acid dimers Poster U39 – Emily Laub and their derivatives exhibit potent cytotoxic properties Mentors: Letitia Reichart & Nate Bickford against breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, Title: Molecular Identification of Sex for Northern Goshawk and are more effective over the monomer units. Materials (Accipiter gentilis) Feathers Collected Across Multiple and methods. The compounds we used were monomers Goshawk Populations in Finland. and homodimers of cinnamic acid and 6-methylcoumarin, Understanding the genetic structure of a species is important and heterodimer of cinnamic acid with 6-methylcoumarin. to identify interactions between and within populations. In These dimers were produced by cavitand-mediated many populations of organisms, one sex is the dispersing photodimerization method. They were tested for sex and responsible for gene flow between populations. In cytotoxicity and cell survival using PrestoBlue dye. Results. this study we extracted DNA from feathers from Northern Both the monomer and dimer of cinnamic acid showed no Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis). Feathers were collected near cytotoxicity in the MCF-7 cell line, but there was cell death nests from individuals of unknown sex across multiple measured in the MDA-MB-231 cell line. The 6-methyl populations in Finland. Next, we used the polymerase chain coumarin monomers and homodimers were effective in reaction (PCR) to determine the sex of individuals. The results both cell lines, at lower concentrations in the MDA-MB-231 of this analysis of genetic sex for sampled individuals will be cell line than the MCF-7. The heterodimer of the two incorporated in a future study where we estimate genetic compounds did not dissolve well in DMSO and acetone diversity within and between Northern Goshawk populations and when the cells were treated with the heterodimer, there in Finland. In addition, we will attempt to identify the was no observed cell death. Conclusion. The homodimers dispersing sex for this species of accipiter. were more effective than their monomer counterparts, Poster U40 – Joshua Lindenberger however, the heterodimer showed no signs of cytotoxicity. Mentor: Brandon Luedtke Title: Analysis of Coxiella burnetii Proteins that Respond to Poster U38 – Kennedy Kluthe a Lipid Stimulus During Axenic Growth Co-Authors: Trevor Daubert, Alexis Page & Daniel As the causative agent of Q fever, Coxiella burnetii has Nabb been studied because of this and its relation to Legionella Mentor: Austin Nuxoll pneumophila. Many studies have been conducted to Title: Decreased Tricarboxylic Acid (TCA Cycle Activity in Staphylococcus Aureus Increases Survival to Innate understand their specific secretion system of Type IVB Immunity secretion system (T4BSS). The goal of this study is to build Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterial pathogen that is off previous knowledge of growth in ACCM-D with and responsible for over one million infections a year. A major without lipid environments, respectively. This includes a concern regarding S. aureus infections stems from failure mass spectrometry of DotA, which is a complex of T4BSS. to respond to antibiotic therapy. One hypothesis for this The results from this were then studied and genes were phenomenon is persister cell formation. Persister cells selected according to their growth difference. These were are a subtype of dormant cells that have a high tolerance then amplified and placed into an expression plasmid for to antibiotics making them harder to treat in a medical recombination. Once the recombinant protein reaches the setting. Recent work demonstrated that persisters form needed concentration, the product will be inserted into when low intracellular ATP is present. Specifically, when a destination vector. This will then be sent for primary, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle is disrupted an increase animal-derived antibody creation at an outside lab. Two in antibiotic tolerance is observed. We hypothesized samples of C. burnetii will be grown, one in lipids, and that persisters not only were problematic for antibiotic one without. These will then be used for Western Blot,

15 | Undergraduate and the animal-derived will act as the primary antibody. tilapia fingerlings do as well on commercial food as a These results will then be compared to the DotA screen for custom food. We found that tilapia fingerlings, and plants confirmation, and continuance of the research. in the aquaponics systems, grew significantly less with custom food than with commercial food (p < 0.0001). Poster U41 – Amanda Macke We explored the hypothesis that part of the reason for this Mentor: Kimberly Carlson result may have been the custom food was formulated as Title: Expression of Vir-1 and Vago in Nora virus Infected powder while the commercial feed is sold as small pellets. Drosophila melanogaster Hemolymph The next experiment was to present young adult tilapia The Drosophila melanogaster immune system serves with pellets made custom food, commercial food, and as a valuable model to identify, study, and compare commercial food reconstituted with 10% distiller’s grain similar components found in humans. Analysis of the D. from a corn ethanol production facility. Using previous melanogaster immune response to viral infection can be work, we worked on the process of making the food used to inform future immunity research and applications into pellets and the process of making it palatable. This to human innate immunity. Two D. melanogaster experiment found that the fish showed no preference for proteins, Vago and Virus-induced RNA 1 (Vir-1), have any of the 3 food types (p = 0.98). These results indicate been identified as candidates for analysis due to their the custom food may be a viable alternative food for tilapia upregulation in response to viral infection. The role of when it is formed into pellets of the appropriate size for these proteins is uncharacterized in Nora virus-infected the age of tilapia being fed. The custom food is made from D. melanogaster. Nora virus replication is localized common ingredients and saves shipping and purchasing within the gut of D. melanogaster, but whether or not it costs for people operating aquaponics and aquaculture circulates to other organs is unknown. While the complete systems far from retail outlets selling commercial food. pathology of Nora virus is not known, a locomotor defect is under investigation in our lab. This led us to hypothesize Poster U43 – Rebecca Meusch that Nora virus, Vago, and Vir-1, are circulating in the Co-Author: Audrey Codina hemolymph of Nora virus infected D. melanogaster, Mentor: Dawn Simon allowing for virus migration to tissues beyond the gut Title: Evolution of a nuclear rRNA intron in the lichen and a conferred immunity in other tissues. To address Physcia this, we performed Western blot analysis on whole body Introns have been found in all sequenced eukaryotic and hemolymph collected from Nora virus infected genomes, yet their origins are unclear. This is likely due to and uninfected control D. melanogaster. The western their antiquity and the lack of selective pressure, both of blot analysis of Nora virus infected D. melanogaster which results in high sequence divergence. This has made demonstrates the presence of Vago, Vir-1, and Nora virus the location of convincing intermediate forms difficult. capsid protein, VP4b, in the hemolymph. This new finding However, some of these issues appear to be mitigated in may provide a link to effects seen in other tissues including nuclear ribosomal RNA (nrRNA) in lichen forming fungi the possible locomotor defect. The project described was and close allies. In this project, species from the genus supported by grants from the National Center for Research Physcia are used as a model to understand spliceosomal Resources (5P20RR016469) and the National Institute for intron origin at one site within the large subunit (LSU) General Medical Science (8P20GM103427), a component rRNA gene. We have collected samples from across central of the National Institutes of Health. and western United States and thus far have done DNA extractions from 25 locations. Often the DNA is degraded Poster U42 – Kelsey Menke and difficult to amplify, so we are focusing on a subset of Mentor: Marc Albrecht these. Two regions of the nrRNA are being sequenced, the Title: Tilapia Feeding Preference Using Commercial Fish LSU surrounding the intron of interest and the internal Food, Ethanol Distiller’s Grain, and Lab-Made Food transcribed sequence (ITS). The ITS will be used to Two experiments have examined how Tilapia responds understand the evolution of the host organism, which will to custom food versus commercial fish food. Tilapia are be compared to the evolutionary history of the introns. commonly raised fish worldwide. They are fast-growing and provide high-quality protein for sale or consumption. Tilapia are commonly raised in aquaponics systems. We are interested if custom fish food, which is being made by people in developing economies such as Haiti, will grow fish as well as commercial fish food. Building on preliminary results from our lab that tilapia fry grows as well on commercial food as a custom food, we test if

Undergraduate | 16 Poster U44 – Makayla Nemecek of immunocompromised individuals. These chronic Co-Authors: Rebecca Best & Shelby Liesemeyer conditions can be explained by a subpopulation of Mentor: Kim Carlson dormant cells, known as persisters, growing within a Title: The effect of Nora virus infection on native gut biofilm. Recent work has determined that screening bacterial communities and lifespan of Drosophila S. epidermidis clinical isolates following vancomycin melanogaster challenge can provide information as to whether an isolate Gastrointestinal microflora has been consistently is a relatively high persister former or low persister former. demonstrated as a key component in the maintenance of To identify a specific mechanism for persister formation health and longevity in both vertebrate and invertebrate in S. epidermidis, bacterial cells were mutagenized with species. In humans and mice, non-pathogenic viruses have ethyl methylsulfonate (EMS). Following EMS treatment, the ability to enhance the effects of the native bacterial enrichment for high persister isolates was performed and flora. Drosophila melanogaster also depend on native gut candidates were sent for whole genome sequencing. bacteria to maintain health and longevity. However, it is unclear whether non-pathogenic gastrointestinal viruses Poster U46 – Justine Pitzer lead to similar observations as seen in humans or mice. Mentor: Austin Nuxoll Nora virus, a picorna-like virus that replicates in the gut of Title: Characterization of Staphylococcus lugdunensis D. melanogaster demonstrates persistent, non-pathogenic biofilms viral infection. A longevity study was conducted on Staphylococcus lugdunensis, which, not unlike Drosophila melanogaster to determine its effects on the Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, organism in relationship to the native gut bacteria. Four can be found on human skin as normal flora. While different treatment groups were generated with the use S. aureus has been the primary focus of the medical of broad spectrum antibiotics and Nora virus infected community, there are new concerns that S. lugdunensis has and uninfected stocks. The results demonstrate that Nora been responsible for biofilm-induced infections, similar to virus may be detrimental to the longevity of the organism, those caused by S. aureus and S. epidermidis. With more whereas bacterial infection is necessary. This data led us accurate testing available, medical professionals are now to hypothesize that there may be a difference in the types able to distinguish S. lugdunensis from other coagulase of bacteria present in Nora virus infected D. melanogaster negative bacteria. This has led to a greater appreciation for as compared to uninfected stocks. In the next study, virgin this organism as a major human pathogen. Contributing female flies from both Nora virus infected and uninfected to the pathogenic nature of this organism is its ability to groups were collected allowed to age for 4 days. Surface form a biofilm, which is the culprit of severe prosthetic sterilization followed by gut dissections were conducted, joint infections, as well as cases of endocarditis. To dividing the gastrointestinal tract into three main sections: characterize further, we tested the antibiotic susceptibility Foregut, midgut, and hindgut, and the fat body was also of S. lugdunensis when grown in a biofilm. Various collected. DNA extraction was performed on the samples antibiotic treatments revealed low susceptibility to all of along with samples from Nora virus infected/uninfected the tested antibiotics, similar to S. aureus. To determine whole flies. DNA samples were sent to UNMC for 16S whether S. lugdunensis biofilms were protein mediated, we sequencing to determine the bacterial communities that compared the susceptibility of the biofilms to proteinase comprise the microflora of in the gastrointestinal tract of K. Following proteinase K treatment, S. lugdunensis Nora virus infected and uninfected stocks. This data will biofilms were dispersed, indicating they form protein help us understand the relationships between bacteria mediated biofilms. We then set out to identify genetic and viruses in the human gastrointestinal tract and health factors essential for biofilm formation in S. lugdunensis. complications that may arise. We mutagenized a S. lugdunensis culture by treating with ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). Following mutagenesis Poster U45 – Seth Ostdiek individual cells were separated using a cell sorter and Co-Authors: Amber Menard & Kaitlyn Pineda examined for biofilm formation at eight hours and 24 Mentor: Austin Nuxoll hours. Mutations resulting in high biofilm and low biofilm Title: Persister Formation in Staphylococcus Epidermidis formers were sequenced to identify genes responsible Clinical Isolates for the phenotypes. A mutation within the S. lugdunensis Staphylococcus epidermidis is a commensal organism, surface protein A (slsA) gene was common among all of often found within the exterior microbiota of mammals. the low biofilm formers suggesting high expression of Robust S. epidermidis biofilms often form in healthcare this protein is important in biofilm formation. Currently, settings causing chronic infection mediated through a genetic knockout is being constructed to confirm these indwelling of medical devices which is further results. exaggerated due to the target population consisting

17 | Undergraduate Poster U47 – Alaini Priebe if geese would respond to UAS flying near them. We were Co-Author: Olivia Hyde able to fly several different drones over a lake in Kearney, Mentor: Surabhi Chandra Nebraska under different weather conditions. Results Title: Analgesic Action of Novel Derivatives of the Active suggest that Canada Geese are less disturbed by white UAS Compound, Incarvillateine, from the Chinese Herb than drones that are orange or black. While there was wide (Incarvillateine sinesis) in Acute Pain variance in some results, flying the drone in at an altitude Commonly used pain medications, opioids and non- at 300 feet or lower usually produced some movement by steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are highly the geese at between 200 and 750 feet. There are several efficacious for treating chronic pain and post-surgical variables other than altitude that may be having some pain, but are associated with neurological and abdominal effect on these distances including: drone color, drone side effects. This has necessitated research for alternative sound, cloud cover, temperature, number of birds present pain treatment strategies to investigate drugs with potent on the lake, and acclimation to the drone. action but minimal side effects. Incarvillateine (INCA), derived from the Chinese herb Incarvillea sinensis, has Poster U49 – Emma Raders been widely used in traditional medicine for treating Mentor: Bryan Drew rheumatism and pain. There are reports that though INCA Title: Hybridization of Turkish Salvia binds to both opioid and adenosine receptors, its primary There are about 1,000 species of Salvia distributed analgesic action is through the adenosine receptors, thus around the world, and many of these species have having minimal side effects on central nervous system. the same number of chromosomes. In Turkey, one of While INCA is a highly effective natural compound, the most species rich areas of Salvia, this has led to research on synthetic analogs of this compound has hybridization between some species of Salvia. Here, we received less attention till date. We hypothesized that investigate two specific instances of putative hybridization INCA analogs show potent antinociceptive action, and between species of Salvia in Turkey, neither of which has their effect is mediated through adenosine receptor action. previously been documented. For this project, we used Compounds were synthesized using novel cavitand- PCR amplification of selected chloroplast and nuclear mediated photodimerization (CMP) method, which DNA markers and resultant phylogenetic trees to assess utilizes a macromolecule (γ-cyclodextrin) to control the potential hybridization events. Two putative hybrid excited state reactivity of photoactive compounds to yield taxa were examined, one between Salvia aucheri subsp. target tetra-substituted cyclobutanes (dimers). The dimers canescens and Salvia heldreichiana, and another between generated so far show positive response in suppressing Salvia vermifolia and Salvia cyanescens. These putative formalin-induced acute pain in mice hind paw while the hybrids do not look like any other described species, monomers were ineffective. The antinociceptive effect of but have morphological features in common with their these analogs was observed in the inflammatory phase respective hypothesized parental species. suggesting a primary non-opioid mechanism for pain reduction. Our further characterization and selection Poster U50 – Kaitlyn Schultis Mentor: Nick Hobbs of INCA analogs (with predominant A3AR - adenosine Title: Effect of Dietary Protein Content on the Response to receptor action) will help us to generate a new class of Over-Marks and Androgen Receptor Expression in Mice antinociceptives with precise chemical modifications In both humans and rodents, males outperform females using CMP methodology. The broad goal of this project is in tasks measuring spatial memory, suggesting a role to provide a targeted low-cost approach towards synthesis for gonadal steroids. One example of spatial memory in of novel analgesics with potent action, high efficiency, and rodents is the ability to discriminate between the top- and minimal aftereffects. bottom-scent donors of an over-mark. Previous research Poster U48 – Riley Pulver has indicated that meadow voles fed a low-protein diet Mentor: Marc Albrecht or that have been food-deprived spent similar amounts Title: The Use of Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to of time investigating the scent donors of an over-mark. Examine Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) in Central Interestingly, these treatments resulted in lower estradiol Nebraska levels in female voles. However, it is unclear if this lack The use of drones (UAS) is becoming more common by of preference due to diet is due to cognitive defects hunters, wildlife managers, and hobbyists. One use of associated with the diet or decreased interest in opposite- drones in Nebraska is to look for game or wildlife. In this sex conspecifics due to lower gonadal hormone levels. study we examined the use of a consumer-level drone to Therefore, this study tested the hypothesis that the protein observe Canada Geese on a lake in Central Nebraska. There content of the diet affects an individual’s spatial memory in are concerns about the use of drones, and we wished to see a mouse model that lacks androgen receptors (AR). Mice

Undergraduate | 18 were fed either a high- or low-protein diet for 30 days and Chemistry then exposed to an over-mark to test spatial memory. Brain activity in response to over-mark exposure was determined Poster U52 – Treyvon Bokoskie by measuring c-Fos expression in brain areas associated Co-Author: Akshay Kashyap with both spatial memory and processing olfactory signals, Mentor: Mahesh Pattabiraman such as the hippocampus and medial amygdala. We also Title: Cavitand-Mediated Photocyloaddition: measured AR expression in these areas to determine if Controlling regio-selectivity of photodimeric products via it played a role in spatial memory of mice. We predicted supramolecular forces mice fed a high protein content diet will show a top-scent A cavitand is a large cyclic molecule that has the ability preference and express higher levels of c-Fos and AR in the to encapsulate a smaller, non-polar molecule to increase appropriate brain regions. This would suggest that protein its solubility. Cavitands, such as cyclodextrin, have been content of the diet affects spatial memory and is facilitated used to increase the solubility of non-polar molecules for by AR. applications such as drug delivery. The use of cavitands has also been extended to increase the efficiency and Poster U51 – Lesley Towery selectivity of different reactions. Photodimerization Co-Authors: Amanda McCown, Abigail Benz, & reactions use UV light to form a cyclobutene between two Devyn Crisman alkenes. Previous studies have shown that cavitand systems Mentor: Kimberly Carlson can be used to increase the efficiency of photodimerization Title: Possible Pathogenic Effect Caused By Nora Virus reactions between single alkene systems and can be used Infection In Drosophila melanogaster to direct its stereoselectivity. Supramolecular forces such Nora virus is a picorna-like virus that contains a positive- as pi-pi stacking, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic forces, sense, single stranded RNA genome. The virus infects and steric hinderance all direct the orientation of the Drosophila melanogaster with no known pathogenic monomeric units within the cavitand. By changing the effects. One hypothesized pathogenic effect of Nora structure of the monomeric units, different supramolecular virus is a deficit in locomotor ability of the fly. In this interactions can be introduced to direct the regio- study, geotaxis assays and longevity curves were used selectivity of the reaction. Previous studies showed that to determine if Nora virus infection has an effect on D. this was true in directing the final product structure of melanogaster’s locomotor ability. Quart sized cages (five homodimers. Experiments were then conducted that Nora virus infected, five Drosophila C virus (DCV) infected, introduced favorable supramolecular interactions between and five uninfected) were established each containing 60 two different substrates in an attempt to form heterodimers virgin female flies. The cages were marked with a line two using photocycloaddition. The effects of charge-transfer thirds from the bottom of the cage. Every third day since interactions between 3-methoxycinnamic acid and cage establishment, the flies were tapped to the bottom, 2-fluorocinnamic acid in photocycloaddition reactions allowed one minute to reach the top, and the number of were examined in this experiment. The use of cavitands in flies crossing the threshold line were recorded. Also on photodimerization was then extended to double alkene every third day, the dead flies were removed, the number systems and larger single alkene systems to see if cavitand- recorded, longevity curves were created and examined mediated photocyloaddition could be used to form using Kaplan-Meyer survivorship analysis. The data polymers or multi-cyclobutane products. Cyclodextrin demonstrated a significant decrease in both geotaxis and was utilized in the photodimerization of several chalcone longevity when the D. melanogaster were infected with derivatives and dibenzalacetone derivatives. Preliminary either Nora virus or DCV, as compared to uninfected results indicated the formation of several dimeric products controls. This is the first time that a possible phenotype using this method. Lastly, NMR analysis of heated guest- has been associated with Nora virus infection. Overall, the host photocycloaddition reactions have indicated the data demonstrate that geotaxis and locomotor dysfunction possible formation of oligomers and polymers, instead of may be a pathogenic hallmark of Nora virus infection. the expected dimer. The project described was supported by grants from the National Center for Research Resources (5P20RR016469) and the National Institute for General Medical Science (8P20GM103427), a component of the National Institutes of Health.

19 | Undergraduate Poster U53 – Tara Buettner Poster U55 – Akshay Kashyap Co-Author: Kenneth Ernest Co-Author: Treyvon Bokoskie Mentor: Annette Moser Mentor: Mahesh Pattabiraman Title: Detection of Glyphosate and AMPA Through Title: Photocylocaddition of Dienes in Symmetric Chalcones: Derivatization with FMOC-Cl and Analysis by LCMS A continuation of the cavitand-mediated photodimerization Glyphosate is a commonly-used, broad spectrum approach herbicide and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) is Photocycloaddition is one of the most utilized reactions the primary product of glyphosate’s degradation. While in chemistry due to its application in fields such as both compounds exhibit low acute toxicity in mammals, photopolymerization, natural product synthesis, material accumulation in the environment poses many concerns, science, and photolithography. However, the reaction such as harming benign native plants and insects, and suffers from two disadvantages: (a) inherent inefficiency contaminating soil, water and crops. Through collaboration because of its bimolecular nature, and (b) possibility of with researchers at UNL, this research project aims to formation of several regio- and stereoisomers. Our group reduce the amount of glyphosate applied by changing has utilized the ability of macrocyclic hosts to confine and the way herbicides are applied to crops. Our portion of pre-orient alkenes to overcome both the disadvantages to the project is to develop a method to analyze glyphosate achieve successful photodimerization of desired alkenes residue as a combination of glyphosate and AMPA, its with specific structures. We have demonstrated in the past, primary degradation product to show the reduction that the cavity of macrocyclic hosts such as cyclodextrin of herbicide residue in the environment. Currently, a and cucurbituril align reactants in a pro-syn orientation derivatization reaction between glyphosate and AMPA while the relative interaction between the alkenes can with FMOC-Cl is being employed alongside liquid- be utilized to align them in head-to-tail or head-to-head chromatography-mass spectrometry to detect herbicide orientation. In our endeavor to expanding this approach concentrations; however, further testing is needed to into a reliable methodology, we have demonstrated that improve the detection limits of this method. the cavitand-mediated photodimerization approach can affect photodimerization of extended reactants: Poster U54 – Bodhi Jelinek conjugated dienes. Our findings suggest that the cavity in Mentor: Michael Moxley cyclodextrins are capable of aligning symmetric chalcones Title: pH-Dependent Product Inhibition of Mammalian (1,4- pentadienones) resulting in remarkable product Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex selectivity. Investigation of host-guest chemistry aspect of The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc) is set of the complexes provides intriguing insight into nature of enzymes that connects glycolysis to the tricarboxylic acid supramolecular interactions the reactants engage in when cycle in eukaryotes and bacteria by oxidizing pyruvate, confined to a microenvironment. in the mitochondria and bacterial cytosol respectively, to form acetyl-CoA, NADH, and CO2. The PDHc is required to Poster U56 – Michael Kratochville aerobically utilize glucose, a preferred metabolic fuel, and Mentor: Michael Moxley is composed of three enzymes: pyruvate dehydrogenase Title: Mammalian Carnitine Acetyl-Transferase (CrAT) (E1), dihydrolipoyl transacetylase (E2), and dihydrolipoyl Kinetics and Modeling dehydrogenase (E3), each essential to catalyze the Mammalian carnitine acetyltransferase (CrAT) is oxidation of pyruvate. a mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes a reversible Using a plate reader, we conducted pH-dependent acetyltransferase reaction. In the forward direction, it product inhibition experiments to determine the sensitivity converts Acetyl-CoA (AcCoA) to CoA, while transferring of PDH to pH. We varied the products, NADH and Acetyl- an acetyl group to carnitine, forming acetylcarnitine. This CoA respectively, at pH’s 5-8.5 in 0.5 intervals, and found reaction is thought to be important for buffering the acetyl- a consistent decrease in activity as pH went below 7 and CoA/CoA ratio, an important metabolic regulatory factor. If began to also decrease at 8 and higher. The data showed this ratio increases too much, for example during exercise, a peak in activity at pH 7.5 which implies this is the most it may become inhibitory with regard to increasing efficient environmental presence of acidity for metabolic metabolic output. We believe this fact may be related to activity to occur for this particular enzyme complex. reasons why knocking out CrAT increases susceptibility to insulin resistance, or Type 2 diabetes, and lowered exercise capacity. In order to improve our quantitative understanding of metabolism, we are trying to better analyze existing and new CrAT kinetic data. In this study, we are trying to determine the kinetic mechanism of CrAT which allows us

Undergraduate | 20 to more accurately predict CrAT rates as a function of pH, Poster U59 – Samantha Rau reactants, and products. We believe our efforts will help Co-Authors: Cody Masters, Laura Stoner, Jocelyn support larger scale metabolic computational projects that Dolphin, April Vonderfecht use, enzyme kinetic models such as this one, to simulate Mentor: Kristy Kounovsky-Shafer metabolism. These computational efforts are needed to Title: Using 3D Printed Devices to Elute and Concentrate deconvolute large networks of enzymatic reactions that Lambda DNA exist in vivo, and test metabolic hypothesis associated with In order to analyze large genomes using systems such as normal and disease states. Nanocoding or Optical Mapping, large DNA molecules are needed to span the variation with enough unique Poster U57 – Bryant Menke information on either end of the variation. Large molecules Mentor: Kristy Kounovsky-Shafer are inherently fragile and routine molecular biology Title: Determining Electroosmotic and Electrophoretic techniques break large DNA molecules, so a system is Contributions in Microchannels in a Variety of Ionic required to elute and concentrate large DNA molecules. Strength Conditions Using 3D printing, meso-fluidic devices were fabricated Electroosmotic and electrophoretic flow are two forces and a gel roadblock was polymerized in the device. DNA that effect the overall mobility of an analyte in a solution molecules were eluted from an agarose insert into solution under an applied current. Understanding how these and concentrated at the interface between the roadblock forces in microchannels, or other forms of geometric and solution under an electric field. To determine if confinement, vary and interact when surface charge and molecules were sheared during elution and concentration, ionic strength of solution in varied, will help develop a DNA collected in the concentration region was digested better understanding of the forces in nanocoding and with a restriction enzyme. Compared to a control, DNA enable better-designed devices for genome analysis. Five collected from the concentration region was full length. different ionic strengths (18 mM NaCl, 9 mM NaCl, 2 mM NaCl, 1 mM NaCl, .5 mM NaCl) and three different plasma Poster U60 – Hanna Schmitz treatments (18 seconds, 36 seconds, 54 seconds) were Mentor: Haishi Cao tested to determine how these factors influence overall Title: Hydrogen Sulfide Detection Using 1,8-naphthalimide mobility of fluorescently dyed nanoparticles in solution. Based Fluorescence Sensors Additionally, rhodamine B dye was imaged to measure the Four 1,8-naphthalimide based compounds have been electroosmotic flow inside the microchannel for each ionic created as potential probes for hydrogen sulfide. These strength solution and each plasma treatment parameter to compounds were synthesized through two one-step compare our previous findings to see if the electroosmotic reactions. Initially, 4-bromo-1,8-naphthalic anhydride was flow is the same or different inside the microchannel refluxed with: 1) cyclopentylamine, 2) 2-morpholinoethan- compared to inside a gel. 1-amine, 3) aniline, and 4) butylamine. Each of the four compounds then underwent addition of malononitrile. The Poster U58 – Sam Novicki resulting compounds are highly soluble in both DMSO and Mentor: Frank Kovacs water, and show high fluorescent intensity. Selectivity and Title: Characterization of Amino-Levulinic Acid sensitivity of these sensors for detection of H2S is in the Dehydratase (ALAD) from E. coli process of being determined through fluorescent analysis. The purpose of this project has been to develop a microplate version of the ALAD assay that will allow us Poster U61 – Hannah Wolfe to characterize the enzyme activity of ALAD that has Co-Authors: Alyssa Wells & Colton Hall been made in our lab. To do this we have used a couple of Mentor: Allen Thomas approaches, one indirect and one direct. In the indirect Title: Triazole analogs of histidine via click chemistry to method, we used the reaction of porphobilinogen (PBG) probe the L-type amino acid transporter (LAT1) binding site with Ehlich’s reagent to generate a colored product. For The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a selectively permeable the direct method we monitored the absorbance at 235 membrane composed of endothelial cells that are nm where PBG has some absorbance. Here we present the connected by tight junctions which limit the uptake of results of this enzyme assay development. xenotoxic molecules including many drugs. We seek to exploit the L-type amino acid transporter (LAT1, SLC7A5), a solute carrier protein that transports amino acids (e.g. Phe, His, Trp, L-DOPA) for targeted drug delivery into the brain. In addition to being highly expressed at the BBB, LAT1 is also upregulated in cancer cells due to their increased metabolism. To be useful for drug delivery, a better understanding of the structure-activity relationship 21 | Undergraduate (SAR) of LAT1 substrates is needed. As part of our ongoing Disk (RAID) configurations and erasure coding. RAID is a effort to understand LAT1-ligand interactions, we have well established technology in the industry. Erasure coding been examining the SAR of histidine analogs. Though has been a known storage concept, but only recently been most amino acid substrates of LAT1 contain neutral, gaining a larger usage. While similar to RAID, it appears to hydrophobic side chains, histidine is also an excellent be more flexible, but require more processing in general. substrate despite having a relatively polar side chain The initial phase of this research explored the properties (cLogP: histidine = -3.7 vs. phenylalanine = -1.6). We and of different RAID levels using benchmarking software others have hypothesized that amino acids containing an in Linux. Benchmark testing included initializing the aromatic side chain may be ideally suited for LAT1 binding, array, and then performing read/write tests. Three tests but the effects of ring polarity are complex and need types were used: a single test of 50 samples of 1000 MB further investigation. To help address these questions, we of data, three tests of 50 samples of 200 MB data, and 5 applied Click Chemistry to synthesize N- and C-linked tests of 50 samples of 20MB data. The average read/write 1,2,3-triazolyl-alanine analogs with varying polarity. performance was recorded for each test as well as the total Analogs were tested for LAT1 substrate activity in trans- average. To test data integrity, random binary data files stimulation and cis-inhibition cell assays. These findings were occasionally written to certain arrays as test data. could be applied to optimize drug-amino acid conjugates Then hard drives were removed to simulate drive failure. If (prodrugs) to treat brain diseases or cancer. the test data was still intact after the drive failure, then the array had a fault tolerance equal to the number of drives that had failed. After establishing benchmarks using RAID Cyber Systems technologies, the next phase will be to test the capabilities Poster U62 – Andrew Fritson of erasure coding methods using the same hardware and Mentors: Matt Miller & Krista Forrest testing procedures for consistency. The results of these This is a continuation study of a study we did last year baseline benchmarks for RAID conducted in the initial which was focused on phishing emails but ended up phase will be reported. being more focused on personalities and their effects on online consumerism. Taking the downfalls and mistakes Geography we made last year, we decided to try it again and see if we get better results on the phishing side. While we still Poster U64 – Theodore Dean Degner looked at the different personality traits and their effect on Co-Authors: Zachary Albrecht, Claire Christner, & online consumerism as well as their likelihood to fall for a Brian Guerra phishing email, we also wanted to see if a more personal Mentor: Jeremy S. Dillon phishing email was more effective than the generic one Title: The Contact between the Peoria Loess and the Gilman that we used last year. Canyon Formation in the Kearney Area To do this, we collected their data from an online survey The contact between the late Pleistocene Peoria loess and which had their email address and personal preferences the underlying Gilman Canyon Formation (GCF) can be when it came to online shopping (as we used coupons from abrupt or gradual. Some studies have reported a “mixing those sites to lure them in). Once all the data was collected, zone” between the two stratigraphic units. In the Kearney we sent an email to every participant that was personalized area, the boundary between Peoria loess and GCF is subtle. to their shopping preference and their name. Through a Visually, there is a ~ 1 meter transition zone between program made by Dr. Miller, we were able to see which what is clear Peoria loess and clear GCF. The zone is only participants opened the email and clicked the links which slightly darker than the overlying Peoria loess (pale brown would be considered a successful phishing attempt. - 10YR6/3, compared to very pale brown - 10YR7/4.) The base of the transition zone is marked by another gradual Poster U63 – Bricyn Jameson change to darker brown (10YR 5/4, 4/3) colors that are Mentors: Sherri Harms & Shahram Alavi more typical of the GCF. Title: Data Storage Architectures As a class project, we investigated this “transition” zone. Data is one of the most valuable objects people We collected samples at 20-cm intervals from a continuous and businesses can possess. Whether it be customer core that was drilled through the Peoria loess, GCF, and information, proprietary software, or personal photos into the underlying Loveland loess. Our field observations, they all require storage. There are three performance traits and total organic carbon and particle size data suggest that by which data storage is commonly measured: integrity, there is an observable boundary between the transition speed, and capacity. The goal of this project is to design zone and the overlying Peoria loess. We submitted two and implement experiments to compare two main data sediment samples from the transition zone for bulk carbon storage architectures, Redundant Array of Independent Undergraduate | 22 14C analyses. The samples from the upper and lower important that the radial distance from the speakers is in portions of the transition zone yielded 14C ages of 25,891 + the far-field (Fraunhofer limit). The experiment takes place 197 cal BP and 29,898 + 470 cal BP, respectively. The upper outside which is why wind and background noise need to age corresponds to other published ages of approximately be taken into consideration, as well as the directionality 25 ka for the top of the GCF. Based upon the evidence for a of the sound level meter. Ways to improve the data quality contact and the 14C ages, we propose that the “transition” are discussed and applied to the example measurements. zone is actually the upper portion of the GCF. Calculations and graphs at different frequencies show the interference picture. For further calculations and interpretations of the result, the speed of sound can be Mathematics & Statistics found and compared to the expected value. All results Poster U65 – Anna Porter are consistent with the expected value, which makes this Mentor: Ted Rupnow experimental setup very useful for demonstrating the Title: Investigating Technology Usage and Integration in interference of sound in the Fraunhofer limit. Further High School Math classrooms research will show more of the differences between the far- Teachers say that they are doing more and more to field (Fraunhofer limit) and near-field (Fresnel limit). integrate technology into their students’ classroom experiences, but this is not evident in comprehensive classroom observations made across all parts of the school day. Technology is becoming increasingly important in today’s society, and is becoming more prevalent in schools. It is important that teachers are not only using technology, but that they are using it in ways that enhance students learning. The purpose of this research was to investigate the usage of technology in High School mathematics classrooms in Nebraska. We investigated what factors could be limiting the integration of technology in high school classrooms. More specifically, we were interested in factors that may limit the potential benefits for student. Through a review of the literature we identified possible factors limiting successful technology integration in mathematics classrooms. We then developed a survey for high school mathematics teachers that measures the impact of these factors. This survey will give us insight about the extent to which the factors are truly impeding technology integration in Nebraska classrooms. We hope to have preliminary results available to share in this poster. The results of our study will inform efforts to alleviate the limiting factors and allow teachers to utilize technology more successfully in the classroom. Physics & Physical Science Poster U66 – Lena Janssen Mentor: Kenneth W. Trantham Title: Multiple Source Interference with Sound In the classroom, most of the time interference of waves is demonstrated by using light but the interference of sound is only treated in the context of standing waves. In this paper, an experimental setup for diffraction and interference of sound with N=9 speakers at different frequencies is described, as well as the calculations to find the maxima and minima of the interference picture. Both an automated and manual approach are shown. It is

23 | Undergraduate The survey was distributed and opened from July to Professional & Applied October. 139 participants answered questions about if they were aware and had received any previous speech Studies and hearing services, their child(ren)’s development , and if they would be interested in receiving extra information Business Administration about communication skills and/or speech language pathology services. The results revealed that parents were Poster U67 – Nathan Lemmer not aware of what public resources were available to them Mentor: Angela Hollman and their family. The 31 children that were reported to not Title: Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy in Healthcare be typically developing in two or more areas was another Cyber threats are on the rise creating over fifteen different discovery found throughout the research. As well as only 20 categories of external threats1 to organizations. Many parent participants wanting extra information/education organizations have experienced a loss of confidential about different communication subjects. Throughout the information because of cyber attacks, which creates a last two months, the researchers have compiled packages need for organizations to become proactive in regards to educating parents in regards to children’s communication cybersecurity3. In the healthcare industry, patient data milestones as well as services located in their geographic must be protected from cyber threats. However, healthcare location, that will be sent out. It is vital that the public employees are actively encouraged to use their mobile explores this area more in order to inform home educators devices for ease of accessibility and increased productivity. about the developmental expectations in the areas This creates a need for healthcare organizations to of speech, language, and literacy and to educate this adopt a bring your own device (BYOD) policy before population about the public resources available to them. implementing the use of mobile technology2,4,5. Managers must understand the cyber risks and balance this with Poster U69 – Kacy Leuck a manageable BYOD policy. Thus, the question: Are we Mentor: Philip Lai effectively managing bring your own device (BYOD) Title: Investigating the Co-Occurrences of Gestures and security and policy in the healthcare system? Eye Contact in Two Sets of Children of Autism Spectrum Disorders To gain a larger understanding of the BYOD security Deficits in social interaction, communication, and and policy in the United States healthcare systems, a restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of survey instrument has been created. This instrument behavior, interests, and activities are areas of concern was generated from the qualitative data collected from in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). the interviews above. Results from the survey have been The estimated prevalence rate of ASD is 1 in 68 children. collected. It appears that organizational size and other In the United States, males are four to five times more factors contribute to the frequency of training. likely to be diagnosed with ASD than females. This neurodevelopmental disorder is a growing public health Communication Disorders concern. Investigating both verbal and nonverbal channels of communication and their co-occurrences can provide Poster U68 – Shelby Hinrichs evidence of language development in toddlers with ASD. Mentor: Whitney Schneider-Cline Two sets of children with an average age of 31 months Title: The Speech & Language Skills, Needs, & Services for Children Who Homeschool: A National Survey were investigated. The first group of children were verbal Little is known about the communication abilities, needs, (n=15) and the second group of children were minimally and services provided for children who are homeschooled. verbal (n=15; produce < 10 words total). A 15-minute The current study utilizes a national survey to explore mother-child play session captured the social interaction. and direct this topic towards informing future research to The mothers were instructed to play with their child as determine if families who homeschool have the necessary they normally would at home, using a standard set of toys resources for information, support, and services regarding which were provided by the experimenters. Sessions were children’s speech, language, and literacy abilities. The audio/videotaped for later coding using Eudico Linguistic participants of this study came from the homeschool Annotator (ELAN) software. Using the ELAN software education population and were contacted through a variety permits real-time integration of behaviors while gathering of different homeschool associations via social media. information regarding duration, frequency, and latency. The survey was developed through Qualtrics and guided When investigating the co-occurrences of gestures and by resources from two existing surveys directed towards eye contact, a behavioral difference was detected. In the homeschool education (Lewis, Robertson, Parsons, 2005 ; verbal group, 12 of the 15 children produced instances of United States of Commerce, 2008). gestures and eye contact together, while only 6 of the 15 in Undergraduate | 24 the nonverbal group expressed this behavior. This result Reports, the Centers for Disease Control estimated the suggests a more global communication delay in nonverbal prevalence rate of ASD to be 1 in 45. Because children children with ASD. In the verbal children, when speaking, with ASD have significant impairments in social we detected a preference in behavioral co-occurrences communication and interaction, the purpose of this project which indicated that verbal children prefer to talk and is to investigate communicative behaviors focusing on gesture over talking and making eye contact during social both verbal and nonverbal channels of communication. interaction. When considering future directions, these Two sets of children with ASD (n=30) were investigated, a participants should continue to be observed in order to group of children who are verbal and a group of children keep data on their progress with their communication who are minimally verbal. Children were defined as skills. minimally verbal if they used fewer than 10 words based on parent report on the Communicative Development Poster U70 – Bobbie Moseman Inventory (CDI) Words and Sentences: Number of Words Mentors: Ladan Ghazi Saidi & Laura Moody Produced. The task consisted of a 15-minute mother-child Title: Description of Assessment and Intervention play session with toys provided by the experimenters. Approaches for an Infant with Dysphagic Symptomology: A Sessions were audio/videotaped for later coding using Case Study Eudico Linguistic Annotator (ELAN) software. Using This research reports the case of an infant who suffered ELAN, annotations can be created based on behaviors dysphagia symptoms including inability to latch, observed in the video and audio data. This program can poor sucking ability and slow feeding with lethargy. capture information regarding duration, frequency, and Identification and assessment of dysphagia in infants is latency. The child’s gestures, eye contact, negative affect, important to avoid more serious problems, such as failure positive affect was compared. A series of t-test found to thrive, pneumonia and the inability to establish and statistical differences in two of these 4 domains. Gestures maintain adequate nutrition and hydration. In this case, (p=.02) and eye contact (p=.03) were significantly different, a referral for assessment was delayed despite parental where the verbal children were producing more of these concerns and earlier reports of gagging and gasping. An two behaviors. These results highlight the delays in assessment ordered at the age of 15 months resulted in communication in both verbal and nonverbal channels of recommending interventions for the child, including communication. Because a majority of research is done on oral-motor therapies aimed at restoring mastication younger children with ASD, future directions would be to and deglutition functions, jaw grading, muscle strength conduct research on school-aged children with ASD, and and oral/facial sensitivity. Parent follow-through with their communicative style/abilities. treatment recommendations in the home resulted in resolving the dysphagia. Early intervention and referral Poster U72 – Maci Wingard for feeding support would have been beneficial. Pediatric Mentor: Ladan Ghazi Saidi dysphasia is a neurological disorder related to different Title: The Effect of Bilingualism on Cognitive Abilities in a causes including texture preferences or traumatic birth Person with Parkinson’s Disease incidences. In this case, prenatal case history documents The brain’s ability to maintain cognitive processes or traumatic birth, however, there is no evidence suggesting a to overcome or find alternative ways to complete a task direct link between the two. Further research is warranted after suffering from damage is known as its cognitive to determine the relationship between a traumatic birth reserve (Stern, 2002; Stern, et. al., 2018). This means that experience and manifestation of dysphagia symptoms in people who have a greater cognitive reserve are able to children. resist degenerative symptoms. There have been studies which provide evidence that speaking a second language Poster U71 – Kaitlyn Pawloski increases cognitive reserve (Kavé, et. al., 2008). Thus, Co-Author: Kacy Leuck we hypothesize that patients with cognitive impairment Mentor: Philip Lai related to neurodegenerative diseases should show the Title: Capturing Four Nonverbal Channels of Communication in Preverbal and Verbal Todlers with symptoms of their disorders later than monolinguals. Autism Spectrum Disorders We used publicly available data to look at demographics, Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and cognitive symptoms of monolingual and bilingual are characterized by deficits in three core areas: social patients with Parkinson’s. The data encompassed interaction, communication, and restricted repetitive and background information regarding their cognitive abilities stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. and their language. Patients who speak one language This disorder affects an estimated 1 in 68 children in were compared to multilingual patients on their age of the United States. In 2015, based on questionnaire data on-set of their cognitive decline. A descriptive analysis was collected in 2014 from the National Health Statistics completed to analyze the mean, median, maximum, and 25 | Undergraduate minimum of the age of on-set and their life-style measures. Educational Administration Using SPSS, a t-test was then conducted to compare the groups. Poster U74 – Courtney Harwager The results of this study showed that cognitive impairment Mentor: Jane Ziebarth-Bovill in PD patients who speak more than one language Title: Middle School Teachers’ Perceptions of Math: As it manifest three years later than their monolingual peers. relates to themselves and their students These results bring evidence that life-long bilingualism This research study focused on middle school math contributes to a stronger cognitive reserve and better teachers’ perceptions towards math as it pertains to compensation in case of a neurodegenerative disorder. themselves and their students. Four middle school math teachers in Kearney completed a pre- survey and a post- Poster U73 – Sky Zalman survey. The researcher also conducted a face-to-face Mentor: Philip Lai interview with the teachers. The researcher has gained Title: Social and Linguistic Profile of School-Age Children deeper knowledge about the perceptions that teachers with High Functioning Autism have towards math in general. In addition, the researcher Autism is one of five disorders on the autistic spectrum gained knowledge about what, when, and where middle disorder (ASD). Individuals with Autism, including level students begin to struggle in math. The findings children with High Functioning Autism (HFA), are showed evidence of what the four middle school math characterized by deficits in these core areas: social teachers believed about their math proficiency as well interaction; social communication; and restricted repetitive as their beliefs about why some middle school students and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and struggle in math. One key finding from the study was the activities. This disorder affects an estimated 1 in 68 children belief by some of the middle school teachers surveyed that in the United States. To be included in the HFA group, child students who struggle in their math class, struggle because participants had to score a 70 or higher on the non-verbal of past experiences in previous math classes. section of the WASI IQ test. Children with a potential diagnosis of HFA were identified by a licensed neurologist from the pediatric neurology clinic, and through referrals Family Studies & Interior from other clinicians/health care professionals. Previous Design research found effects of parental behaviors on their children. A positive relationship was found in parental Poster U75– Justine Bauer emotional behaviors and their child’s production of Mentor: Sharon Obasi affect. For this project, our main question of interest is Title: Volunteering: A Catalyst for Change observing how variable the HFA group is with respect to Increasingly, there is greater emphasis being placed on their emotional expression compared to their typically encouraging college students to become more civically developing (TD) peers. Our other main question of interest engaged. Civic engagement or service learning projects is whether the behaviors observed by the children are are being listed as specific course requirements and even comparable to parental reports. This study used archival graduation requirements (Nash, 2015, Turner, 2014). Yet data and included 40 children in total between 7-14 years there has been little research on what college students of age; 20 children with HFA (13M, 7F) and 20 TD (9M, would want to see in a new program or policy relating 11F) children. The computer software, ELAN, was used to civic engagement. Before any polices or programs are to code facial expressions. Three parental questionnaires implemented it is important to identify what level of civic provided a unique point of view. Their answers helped engagement college students would be interested in getting us put together a more accurate profile of how these involved with. This presentation focuses on the results of children are preforming on a daily basis. The Children’s an exploratory study that used an online survey to examine Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ) measures temperament; civic engagement among college students with specific the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire – Parent emphasis on students’ opinions about civic engagement Version (MPQ) assesses mood and personality; the Salk and the precise types of activities students would prefer Institute Sociability Questionnaire (SISQ) evaluates to do. For comparison purposes college faculty, staff and approach and social-emotional characteristics. These administrators were also asked to provide their opinions sources of data will be combined to create profiles, helping about civic engagement and the precise activities that answer multiple questions relating to autistic severity and students should engage in. This presentation will also emotional responses. highlight gennder differences in opinions about civic engagement and preferred activities. Collectively, these observations may be used to inform the practice and policy of requiring civic engagement for course completion and graduation. Undergraduate | 26 Poster U76 – Courtney Gould effects of social media for interpersonal well-being than Mentor: Mickey Langlais younger participants. Based on the results of this study, Title: “Til Sex Do Us Part”: Examining Purity in the Context middle-aged adults’ mental health appears to be negatively of Dating Relationships associated with social media use. Additional implications Sanctity and purity is the notion that someone should will be discussed. remain sexually abstinent prior to marriage. Research has shown that remaining “pure” until marriage is positively Poster U78 – Molly Moeller associated with interpersonal well-being (Mahoney, Mentor: Mickey Langlais Pargament, & Hernandez, 2013) and moderately related Title: Attached to Swiping: Examining Adult Attachment to marital satisfaction (Pomerleau, Wong, & Mahoney, Styles with Online Dating Applications 2018), but little research has examined the role of purity Online dating has increased 20% over the past five years for dating relationships. Purity is likely to have a significant (Pew Research Center, 2016). However, individuals are impact on young adults self-esteem and quality of their likely to vary in their use and motivation for using online relationships, given that purity is associated with identity dating applications. A variable that is likely to explain and intimacy development. The transition to college is these differences are the four adult attachment styles likely to also impact individuals’ perspectives of purity, proffered by Bartholomew and Horowitz (1991). The goal and in some ways promote the participation in risky sexual of this research is to examine similarities and differences behaviors. Therefore, the goal of this study is to increase between the four attachment styles (secure, fearful, understanding of purity, particularly its associations with preoccupied, and avoidant) concerning online dating romantic relationship quality and self-esteem. Quantitative application behavior. Participants (N = 281; 78.6% female, and qualitative data will be collected concerning views on 91.8% heterosexual) completed an online survey regarding purity, which will be used to examine its association with behaviors on and motivations for using dating applications. romantic relationship quality for dating couples. Results indicate that individuals with a fearful attachment style are more likely to have ever used or be currently Poster U77 – Taylor Kizer on an online dating application compared to other Mentor: Mickey Langlais attachment styles, as well as motivated to use online dating Title: Social Media Use and Interpersonal Health: applications to form romantic relationships. Comparisons Examining Generational Differences concerning time on dating applications, frequency of Logging in and checking social media has become checking applications, number of matches, and perceived a ubiquitous behavior in American culture and has effectiveness of applications across attachment styles are ramifications for mental well-being. The goal of this examined. Implications for relationship formation will be study is to compare how social media use (i.e., Facebook, discussed. SnapChat, Instagram, and Twitter) is associated with mental well-being (depression, anxiety, and stress) Poster U79 – Callie Opbroek between young (ages 18 to 23) and middle-aged adults Mentor: Mickey Langlais (ages 24 to 40). I use Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory of Title: Social Media Experiences and Coping Strategies Development as a framework for this study. Participants The use of social media, particularly excessive use, is were recruited from two areas in the United States, a small linked to low self-esteem, increased anxiety, increased city in the Midwest and an urban city in the Southwest (N = depressive symptoms, and lower levels of sleep 261). Eligible participants completed an online survey that quality (Berryman, Ferguson, & Negy, 2017; Twenge, took approximately 40 minutes and then nine consecutive Joiner, Rogers, & Martin, 2018; Vannucci, Flannery, & daily online surveys that took approximately 15 minutes Ohannessian, 2016). However, there is a deficit in the to complete. Data was analyzed using linear regression literature concerning how to assist with these emotions, analyses. For participants younger than 23, only posting on besides simply recommending avoiding social media Twitter was associated with increased anxiety and stress. altogether. With the use of social media, advocating for However, multiple social media behaviors were associated completely avoiding social media may not be realistic. with the well-being for participants older than 23. First, Therefore, the goal of this research project is to understand posting photos on Facebook was negatively associated how to assist individuals who may be experiencing with each measure of well-being, and private messaging negative emotions as a result of social media use. Data on SnapChat was negatively associated with anxiety. On for this study comes from a community sample of 160 the other hand, monitoring on Facebook and SnapChat participants (88.1% female, 89.4% white) who completed was positively associated with anxiety. Additionally, an online survey. Both qualitative and quantitative data posting comments on Facebook was positively associated were collected. Participants were presented with two case with stress. Generally, older participants reported more studies. The first dealing with low self-esteem due to social

27 | Undergraduate media experiences and the second dealing with trust with consumption may decrease this inflammatory response, romantic partners on social media. Correlation analyses because it has anti-inflammatory effects. Purpose: The revealed a positive association between age and seeking purpose of the study was to examine the anti-inflammatory professional help and a positive association with education effects of the tart cherry juice on muscle thickness and level and seeking professional help, but only for the first echo intensity after inducing the muscle soreness on the case study. Qualitative analyses revealed that viewing biceps brachii muscle. Participants: Eight male, college- political and negative posts prompted participants to feel aged (19 to 25 years) recreationally active individuals upset. The first case study found that most participants were voluntarily participated. Methods: The forearm (FC) felt envious, inadequate, or indifferent. Participants stated and upper arm circumference (UC) and biceps brachii they would cope with these feelings by staying productive, muscle thickness (MT), subcutaneous tissue thickness boosting self-love, or talking to a friend. Participants (ST), and echo intensity (EI) were measured using a tape thought the best way to cope was to talk to someone or find measure and ultrasound imaging system as the baseline ways to be productive. The second case study revealed that measurement. Following the baseline measurement, participants felt curious or frustrated and most reported participants were instructed to consume 8 oz of tart that they would cope by talking to someone. Subsequently, cherry juice or placebo twice a day for 6 consecutive participants thought the best way to cope with case study days. Upon their return on the 6th day, the participants two was to also talk to someone. performed 3 sets of 10 reps of the biceps curl at 125% of their 1-RM. After the immediate and 24 hours post- exercise, the circumference, tissue thickness, and echo Kinesiology & Sports Sciences intensity were remeasured. Results: FC, UC, MT, and EI Poster U80 – Darienne S. Blair significantly increased from the baseline to immediate Mentor: Richard Mocarski post-measurements in both treatments (P<0.01). Both Title: Assessing the current occupational therapy readiness treatments also significantly decreased the EI from the to serve post-gender-affirming surgery immediate to 24-hour post-measurement (P<0.01). ST The purpose of this research is to understand the training significantly increased from the immediate to 24-hour and experiences that occupational therapist (OTs) post-measurement, regardless treatments. (P=0.03). have had with transgender and gender diverse (TGD) Conclusion: There was no acute treatment effects on the individuals and to assess their desires and needs relating recovery from the DOMS consuming the tart cherry juice or to TGD care. Occupational therapists work with clients placebo for 6 days. Further research needs to be conducted to help them achieve a fulfilled and satisfied state of life to examine the long-term effects of those treatments and by looking at their goals and working alongside them longer recovery periods from the DOMS. to achieve those goals. This can be in several different settings: e.g. work, home, personal life. OTs can work with Poster U82 – Andrew Fields several different populations, but one area that has not Co-Author: Taylor Wilson been studied is the relationship between occupational Mentor: Gregory A. Brown Title: Establishing normative data for VO2max for students therapist and trans and gender diverse care. The data will in PE 461 be obtained through a survey that is sent out to randomly Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) is considered selected OTs from across the state of Nebraska. This survey the best measurement of cardiorespiratory fitness. is a general needs assessment with questions regarding Based on considerable evidence that lower levels of their practice, comfort level and training with TGD clients, cardiorespiratory fitness are correlated with an increased and what skills OTs currently have that can be adapted to risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, provide the best care for TGD individuals. The results of the American Heart Association published a scientific this research will be used to bridge the gaps in training statement in 2016 recommending that VO2max be used for future and current occupational therapist and help as a clinical vital sign. Students in Exercise Physiology (PE improve the care of TGD individuals. 461) undergo a measurement of VO2max, performed by Poster U81 – Jerromy Cissel the students in the next class in sequence (Fitness Testing; Mentor: Kazuma Akehi PE 467). While there are well established normative data Title: The Effects of Tart Cherry Juice on Recovery from for stratifying VO2max into categories of fitness or risk Delayed-onset Muscle Soreness in the Biceps Brachii Muscle for disease, it is often recommended that laboratories Following Eccentric Exercise also establish normative values for the population most Introduction: Strenuous exercise causes an inflammatory frequently tested within their laboratory. By establishing response in the muscles being used, which causes normative data for VO2max for students in PE 461, the delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Tart cherry juice students will be able to not only rate their VO2max relative

Undergraduate | 28 to categories of fitness or risk for disease but will also be Poster U85 – Emily Kaiser able to see how their fitness compares to other students Mentor: Kazuma Akehi in PE 461. This project will use archival data of VO2max Title: Effects of the Plant Protein Based Diet on the Muscle measurements in PE 461 from 2010-2018 to establish Strength Properties Comparing to the Animal Protein Based normative percentile data for VO2max for students Diet in PE 461. These data will then be included in future A plant-based diet is not particularly popular among instructional materials used in PE 461. athletes because of the preconceived notion that it is difficult to eat enough protein. A study was reported that Poster U83 – Kimberly Higgins participants eating a vegan diet could exercise more with Mentor: Scott Unruh less muscle fatigue compared to the meat-based diet, due Title: Effects of the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction to lower fat and increased nutrients. Plant proteins, when surgery/rehabilitation on post-surgery knee functionality combined to provide all of the essential amino acids, After completing this project, I will have a greater depth provide an excellent source for protein considering they of understanding of the differences between an allograft are much lower in saturated fat and cholesterol. Plant and an autograft ACL reconstruction. I also will gain great protein-based diets also provide numerous other nutrients insight into how these two different reconstructions affect and fiber that are part of a healthy diet. The purpose of patients’ lives long after their initial surgery is complete. this study is to examine how a vegan diet could benefit I hope to work closely with the professionals at UNK athletes by making it easier to improve muscle volume and along with the staff at New West Hospital, and gain any muscle strength properties. The study will consist of twelve knowledge or insight they pass along to me. I will be recreationally active male college-aged who have been sending out a survey to patients that have had an ACL eating the western diet (animal-based protein diet). The reconstructive surgery at New West Sports Medicine facility study will be a twelve-week long intervention of the special 5 or more years in the past. I will then collect the data diet plan and exercises. Six participants will follow a vegan from these surveys and analyze the results, with special diet (plant protein-based diet) and the others will follow note being taken on the effects that an allograft versus and the normal western diet. At the baseline, 4th, 8th, and 12th autograft repair has on their lives 5+ years post-surgery. week of the intervention, their body composition, thigh I will be asking daily living knee functionality questions muscle size and volumes, and the thigh muscle strength in the survey, along with emotional and mental health properties will be measured. Each participant will also questions. have a standardized muscle strength exercise program. The hypothesis was determined to see better improvement Poster U84 – Allison Hirschman of the quadricep from the plant protein-based diet group Mentor: Scott Unruh because of the plant protein that is utilized instead of Title: Extrinsic Factors of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears in Female College Soccer Players animal protein. This study could help develop a better The purpose of this study is to further investigate the idea of how not only athletes should be eating and fueling extrinsic factors of anterior cruciate ligament tears in their bodies, but also their health in general. Based on this female collegiate soccer players. By using an online information, scientists would have a better idea of how questionnaire, we will be able to reach schools across muscles are directly affected by nutrition. the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association to collect adequate data. The questionnaires will be sent to Poster U86 – Kevin Line Mentor: Kazuma Akehi the athletic training rooms at the participating schools. The Title: Effects of Vision Training on the Static Balance for survey will contain questions about numerous extrinsic Collegiate Recreationally Active Individuals factors such as leg dominance, weather condition and Vision training has become the growing practice to field surface, at the time of injury to their ACL. The survey improve visual perception, cognition, and oculomotor will not include athlete’s names or any other identifying tasks to consolidate athletic performance in addition to information. Once the data has been successfully collected, traditional strength training. Saccadic eye movement we will then be able to draw correlations between injuries (SEM), smooth pursuit eye movement (SPEM) and to get a better idea of factors that may increase the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) are ocular movements and chances of an ACL tear. This may also lead into prevention reflex, which are influential to an athlete’s balance. SEM mechanisms that the athletes may take into consideration. is described as quick eye movement incorporated with a swift change in focused target. SPEM is slower and more fluid tracking of the moving stimuli. VOR implements the external feedback to the fixation and stabilization of the eye in correlation to the head movement. It is,

29 | Undergraduate however, still unclear how visual training influences Sports Science Institute guidelines may include: social athletic performance. The purpose of this study is to media campaigns, informational posters hung in locker determine a correlation of a four-week SEM, SPEM, and rooms, and a dedicated food station for student-athletes. VOR training on static balance. Twelve males and twelve females, recreationally active college-aged subjects will Poster U88 – Mallory Stoner be recruited. Subjects will go through a four-week visual Mentor: Kate Heelan Title: Female Athletes: Healthy Options on the Road training program, consisting of a 30-min training, four Female collegiate athletes face the challenges of eating times per week. Sway balance scores using a Humac out and consuming nutritious meals during in-season Balance system will be recorded pre- and post-visual travel (Anderson 2010). PURPOSE: The purpose of this training. Visual training consists of SEM, SPEM, and study is to determine if female collegiate athletes will VOR included in the visual training video program. The choose healthier food options while traveling with the investigator hypothesized static balance would increase team if provided recommended meal options (RMO). significantly after 4 weeks of visual training. Incorporating METHODS: Seven restaurants were identified, and menus visual training into the athlete’s training program may were analyzed based on total calories, carbohydrate, fat increase in balance and it would be vital in sports due and protein content. RMO were between 500-700 calories, to consistent performance of eye movement, balance, contained high carbohydrate, low fat and moderate hand-eye coordination, and tracking. The visual training protein content. Menus and meal content breakdown would also be beneficial for the sports-related head were evaluated by a registered dietitian and meal options trauma patients by convalescing their balance and ocular were distributed to coaches and Women’s soccer players movement that has been compromised in preparation to via email. Surveys were sent to players via Qualtrics at return to play and possible quick recovery. the end of the season to determine if they ordered a RMO Poster U87 – Jenn Nolda from the provided menu, whether or not they felt like it Mentor: Bryce Abbey impacted their performance, and if they liked the healthier Title: Collegiate Supplement Use, Knowledge & Motivation options. RESULTS: Data indicated that 52% of the women’s The purpose of this study was to investigate the soccer team ordered healthier options when healthy menu prevalence of dietary supplement use among division II options were provided. Players were more likely to order collegiate athletes at a midwestern university. Sixty-seven a healthy option when eating at a sandwich shop style collegiate athletes (33 males; 34 females; mean age = 22.2 restaurant. 56% of the players who ordered a healthy option ± 1.03 years) volunteered to participate in this study. A at Jimmy Johns or Planet Sub felt like their performance 26-question anonymous survey instrument examined type was positively impacted by their meal. 62% of the Women’s of sport participation, use of dietary supplements, reasons soccer players generally liked having the healthy options for use, and sources of information for sport supplements. provided. Conclusion: Division II athletes typically are not Of the participants, 44.78.3% (N = 30) reported currently provided with a sports nutritionist to help make healthy taking dietary supplements. There were a significantly choices. It has been suggested that providing athletes higher number of males (male N=21, female N=9) reporting with specific menu suggestions when traveling may assist current dietary supplement use. Of those who reported to them in making better choices (Anderson, 2010). Our be currently taking dietary supplements, improved sports data supports this notion and suggests that the majority performance, 51.85% (N = 14) was the most reported of female athletes will use healthy menu suggestions, like reason for use. Only 5.63% reported using the NCAA the choices and believe healthier options impact their Sports Science Institute as a source of information for performance. sport supplement usage. 51.02% (N=49) reported that they believe their coach gives adequate information about Poster U89 – Zach Sutton sports nutrition. There were no significant differences Mentor: Kazuma Akehi Title: Finger Tendon Adaptations Following a Hangboard found in reported sports supplement use between any of Training Protocol in Recreational Rock Climbers the sports. 68.09% of student athletes surveyed requested Rock climbing as a recreational sport has grown in more sports nutrition related resources from the athletic popularity over the last few years. Although the risk for department. The results of this study offer additional physical injury is less in climbing than many other sports, insight into trends in supplement use among division overuse injuries still occasionally occur, especially in II collegiate athletes. Practical implications suggest that finger tendons. A possible explanation for these injuries is it may be necessary to ensure coaches have sufficient muscle strength would be exceeding the rate at which the knowledge about sports supplements so that athletes are tendons can adapt to the stress. It has been shown that the receiving accurate information. New methods of providing Achilles and the patellar tendon increase in cross sectional sports nutrition supplement information per the NCAA

Undergraduate | 30 area (CSA) with resistance training, however, this has Management not been applied to finger flexor tendons. Therefore, the purpose was to measure the CSA and tendon thickness of Poster U91 – Kylie Johnson the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and flexor digitorum Mentor: Michelle Fleig-Palmer superficialis (FDS) muscles before and after an eight-week Title: An In-Depth Analysis of Adult Vaccination Rates in the hangboard strengthening protocol. Nine male college aged Two Rivers Public Health District students (age=21.6yrs, height=177cm, weight=19.47kg) Due to the irregular scheduling of adult vaccinations, participated in a baseline session to measure their finger many adults are unaware of their vaccination status. maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) Vaccines protect whole communities through herd strength through the figure strength machine. FDP and immunity, so populations are at risk when people are FDS CSA (cm2) and thickness (cm) were also measured unaware of their vaccination status. The purpose of this with ultrasonography. Participants performed a hangboard study was to identify adults’ awareness of their vaccination training protocol that consisted of a 7-second dead hang status regarding select vaccines, as well as identifying followed immediately by a 3- second rest. This interval was factors that influence their decision to vaccinate. To repeated 6 times to complete one set. Participants then conduct this study, I investigated patient activation and rested 2 minutes between sets and completed a total of provider trustworthiness. Provider trustworthiness was three sets. If the subject could comfortably complete the studied because rural communities face a shortage of hang boarding session without reaching failure, 2.5 pounds provider options, so if patients in rural areas do not trust was added the following training session. Finger strength their provider they may not vaccinate. Participants (n=51) and CSA (cm2) and thickness (cm) of FDP and FDS were were asked to complete a 15-minute survey administered reassessed after 4 and 8 weeks of training. We expect to not at local county fairs in Nebraska in July 2018. The survey see a correlation between the finger strength and CSA and included sections on self-reported vaccination adherence, thickness adaptation. If this is true, this may explain the the Patient Activation Measure, a trustworthiness measure, high proportion of finger tendon injuries present in rock and general demographics. The analyses revealed positive climbers because the finger tendon cannot tolerate the relationships between patient activation and the following certain level of physical stress. variables: self-reported vaccination adherence (r=.25, p< .05) and perceived provider trustworthiness (r=.35, Poster U90 – Dakota Waddell p< .01). This study identifies the importance of the Mentor: Gregory Brown role of patient activation and provider trustworthiness Title: Establishing normative data for the 30-second Wingate in adult patients’ decisions to vaccinate. The significant bicycle test for students in PE 461 correlations above suggest that increasing provider The 30-second Wingate bicycle test is one of the most trustworthiness leads to an increase in patient activation. widely used tests for measuring anaerobic fitness. During The data also suggests patient activation could positively the 30-second Wingate bicycle test, the participant pedals impact vaccination rates and thus herd immunity. against a constant high resistance as hard as possible for Recommendations include shifting provider focus to 30 seconds. Due to the high resistance, fatigue causes a educating adult patients to aid in building stronger patient- rapid reduction in power output over the 30 second test provider relationships. The strengthened relationship with reductions in power output of 50% or more being could empower patients to be self-advocating and increase common. During the 30-second Wingate bicycle test adult vaccination rates. anaerobic glycolysis is a primary source of ATP formation resulting in large increases in blood lactate concentrations. Normative data for changes in blood lactate due to a Teacher Education 30-second Wingate test are not available, and normative data for power output can vary greatly due to the ergometer Poster U92 – Guadalupe Perez Mentor: Martonia Gaskill used. In 2016 the Physical Activity & Wellness Lab obtained Title: Minority Teachers in the Public School System: A an electronically braked bicycle ergometer for use in Qualitative Study of Perceptions and Attitudes Wingate testing. This project will use archival Wingate test Education is constantly changing and innovating with data of blood lactate measurements in PE 461 students the goal to provide the best learning experiences to all from 2010-2018 to establish normative data for change in student. A current interest found in the research literature blood lactate and archival data from 2016-2018 to establish is understanding the challenges and opportunities normative data for peak, mean, and minimum power associated with becoming minority teachers and how output and fatigue rate. These data will then be included in minority educators impact of influence students’ potential. future instructional materials used in PE 461. This study is significant because it supports claims that

31 | Undergraduate children need to develop the ability to build relationships with diverse people and relate to others from different backgrounds from a young age. Nieto & Bode (2008) claim that US schools are becoming more and more diverse while the teacher body is going in the opposite direction and becoming more homogeneous. Research has shown that when it comes to the distribution of the best teachers in the school systems, poor and minority student population are less likely to get their fair share (Peske & Haycock, 2006). Additionally, there is a growing need to encourage minority populations to pursue higher education degrees leading to education careers to reverse current trends that discourage the general population and the potential minority from entering the teaching profession. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore how minority teachers in Midwestern schools describe their professional experiences as classroom teachers. Interviews were conducted with minority teachers employed in small, large, urban and rural schools in the state of Nebraska. Results, implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Undergraduate | 32 Undergraduate Performance Schedule

Sandhills Room 1:30 pm...... Minori Yamauchi Fusion: Multi-Media Dance Mentor – Sharon Campbell

Undergraduate Performance Abstracts

Music & Performing Arts conducted interviews with people from various ethnicities (from native Nebraskans to international students), Minori Yamauchi because what an audience wants is the most important Mentor: Sharon Campbell point for creating the art to share with them. Based on Title: Fusion: Multi-Media Dance the feedback from interviews, and research on the history My research is finding and experimenting with a fusion of music, and dance, I found the starting place for my of dance and music. Jazz music with Jazz dance is what performance. To find actual movements for each piece, I people think it is a “typical” combination. However, a discussed how the topic was a part of creating art with the dance audience may become more curious and interested dancers. I asked dancers for their reactions to aspects of the to watch oppositions presented together as one art. The pictures, poems, words, and music which had inspired me. goal of my research, culminating in the dance concert, Then, the dancers were asked to improvise based on their “Fusion,” is to find an art form that people don’t usually aspects of the subjects. The final step to choreograph was expect - such as classical music with hip-hop dance, to puzzle together the movements which I have created nature sounds and tap dance, Japanese cultural music and inspired by dancers’ improvisation. As a result, the and other countries’ dance, and the opposite meanings feedback from the audience was that sharing the cultural of movements and words in sung music. Preserving the exchange made the biggest impact on audience member’s idea of history behind each story, I want to surprise people memories. Things that people don’t know get them when unexpected fusions happen. interested to watch a dance concert. In the process of creating my dance concert, I first

33 | Undergraduate Undergraduate Oral Presentation Schedule

Ponderosa C Ponderosa D 2:00 pm...... Mia Grant 1:45 pm...... Chase Harrison Socialist Feminism in Theory and Practice The Enduring Critic: Richard Brinsley Mentor – William Aviles Sheridan and the Theatre of War Mentor – Denys Van Renen 2:15 pm...... Makenzie Petersen Improving Teaching by Improving Teachers: 2:00 pm...... Parker Witthuhn What Nebraska is Doing in Regard to Professional World War I: The Soldiers of Kearney State Normal School Development of Educators Mentor – Jeff Wells Mentor – Diane Duffin 2:15 pm...... Megan Steinhauer 2:30 pm...... Jesus Ramirez Perkins' Past: The Life of Edwin Perkins Before Kool-Aid A Survey Experiment in Attitudes about Gun Control Mentor – Jeff Wells Mentor – Joan Blauwkamp 2:30 pm...... Cannon Marchand 2:45 pm...... Jasmine Beringer Students in Service Race to the bottom?: Consequences of Mentor – Mark Ellis Globalization on Labor Mentor – Charles Rowling 2:45 pm...... Macey Stall The Diaries of Verna Holmes 3:00 pm...... Erin Green Mentor – James Rohrer Combining Feminist Theory with Republican Virtue to Combat Workplace Sexual Harassment 3:00 pm...... Megan Gifford Mentor – Diane Duffin Dante's Trek into a Far-Off Galaxy Mentor – Rebecca Umland

3:15 pm...... Erica Wood The Evolution of Modern Marriage in 19th-Century Literature Mentor – Rebecca Umland

Undergraduate | 34 Undergraduate Oral Presentation Schedule

NSU 310 NSU 312 1:30 pm...... Jose Ortega 1:30 pm...... Brittany Hanzlik High Glucose Conditions Affect The Assessment of Coping Abilities and Physical Characteristics of Breast Cancer Cells and Intrapersonal Communication Modes for Adults Increases Proliferation Through Polyamine Pathway with a Chronic Disease and/or Disability Mentors – Surabhi Chandra & Diganta Dutta Mentor – Richard Mocarski

1:45 pm...... Alaini Pribe 1:45 pm...... Chloe Murphy Antinociceptive Action of 3-methoxy Cinnamic Acid Edward Elgar’s Sea Pictures: A Personal Musical Journey Dimmers on Adenosine Receptors Mentor – Anne Foradori Mentors – Surabhi Chandra, Vasundhara Balraj, & Mahesh Pattabiraman 2:00 pm...... Elizabeth Hawney The Art of Science 2:00 pm...... Clarissa Fitzgerald Mentor – Dena Harshbaerger The Prevalence of Borrelia Lonestari in Central Nebraska Mentor – Julie Shaffer 2:15 pm...... Cynthia Iloghalu Public Opinion on the Therapeutic 2:15 pm...... Kati Frankenberg Use of Cannabis: A Cross-Cultural Analysis Identifying the binding location of atrazine and its Mentor – Sharon Obasi metabolites on human serum albumin using high performance affinity chromatography 2:30 pm...... Alyssa Hoffman Mentor – Annette Moser Annotated Bibliography on Social Work Practice Classes Taught Online 2:30 pm...... Brooklynn Venteicher Mentor – Maha Younes Challenges of Using Rational Design to Optimize Substrate Specificity for the Promiscuous 2:45 pm...... Taylor Stewart L-type Amino Acid Transporter 1 (LAT1) Innovation in Teacher Preparation through Mentors – Allen Thomas, Jerome Campbell, Experiential Learning: PETE Undergraduate Perception Huan-Chieh Chien, Arik Zur, Claire Colas, Mentor – Megan Adkins Kathleen Giacomini, & Avner Schlessinger 3:00 pm...... Danielle Tilley 2:45 pm...... Evan Olson Teacher Perceptions of the Influence of Technology Binary Operations Involving Roots of Unity Integration on Childhood Obesity and Student Mentor – Jia Huang Understanding of Physical Activity Levels Mentor – Megan Adkins 3:00 pm...... Jenilee Woltman Effects of Using Animal-Assisted Therapy on Picture Recognition, and Agitation on Older Adults with Mild to Severe Dementia in Long-Term Care. Mentor – Ladan Ghazi Saidi

35 | Undergraduate Undergraduate Oral Presentation Abstracts

Biology increased levels in cancers such as colon and skin. We hypothesized that polyamines are involved in proliferation Clarissa Fizgerald of breast cancer cells under diabetic conditions. Mentor: Julie Shaffer Furthermore, diabetic states affect mechanical properties Title: The Prevalence of Borrelia Lonestari in Central such as cellular elasticity in cancer cells, which can further Nebraska exacerbate proliferation and induce invasion. Methods and At the University of Nebraska at Kearney a study is Results: Cell lines used in this study included MDA-MB-231 being conducted on a tick born bacterium called Borrelia (late stage breast cancer) and MCF-10A (normal breast lonestari. B. lonestari is vectored by Amblyomma epithelial cells). Cells were treated with normal glucose americanum, and is a related bacterium to Borrelia (NG, 5mM) or high glucose (HG, 25mM) in the presence burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease. B. lonestari and/or absence of polyamine synthesis inhibitors. causes variant Lyme disease, which has similar symptoms Mechanical properties of the cells were monitored using to Lyme disease including the bullseye rash. Both diseases atomic force microscopy (AFM) under different treatments are treated in their early stages with low doses of similar of glucose. HG treatments increased cell proliferation in antibiotics. In Nebraska the tick which carries Lyme is not both cell lines. However, treatments in the presence of present; however, there are reported cases across the state ornithine decarboxylase (polyamine synthesis enzyme) every year which were later classified as false positives. inhibitor, difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) prevented This has created confusion in the medical field. Our tests this increase in cell proliferation. DFMO was also able to cover both male and female Amblyomma americanum, decrease the spermidine levels with glucose treatments. which we are using to gain a better understanding of the AFM showed breast cancer cells have a smaller modulus risk of variant Lyme Disease and the concentration of the of elasticity (22.1kPa) versus the normal breast epithelial disease in the tick population which has been harvested. (46.9kPa) under NG conditions. HG conditions reduced Comparisons can be made for the presence of the the elasticity in both cell lines with the cancer cell line bacterium in male and female ticks because females feed still having the smaller modulus. Conclusion: Polyamine at the adult life stage, while males do not and are less likely synthesis pathway is involved in normal breast epithelial to transmit the disease. By testing these ticks in 2017 and and breast cancer cell proliferation under HG. The physical 2018 it has been confirmed that B.lonstari is present and characteristics (elasticity) between breast cancer cells and growing in Nebraksa. normal epithelial cells are distinguishable. These methods help provide a better understanding for the role of diabetes Jose Ortega in proliferation and invasiveness of breast cancer cells. Co-Authors: Caleb Capellen & Roman W Schmidt Mentors: Surabhi Chandra & Diganta Dutta Alaini Priebe Title: High Glucose Conditions Affect Physical Co-Authors: Olivia Hyde, Lydia Fritchse, & Luke Characteristics of Breast Cancer Cells and Increases Hamilton Proliferation Through Polyamine Pathway Mentors: Surabhi Chandra, Vasundhara Balraj, & Mahesh Background and Hypothesis: Hyperglycemia is known Pattabiraman as a source for increasing cancer cell proliferation and Title: Antinociceptive Action of 3-methoxy Cinnamic Acid furthering metastasis. Increased blood sugar levels are Dimmers on Adenosine Receptors known to reduce the effects of cancer therapeutics. Chronic pain has been shown to affect more people Polyamines (putrescine, spermine, and spermidine) than diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined. are ubiquitous in cells and are known to be involved Due to nervous system related side-effects with opioids, in vital processes such as cell growth, replication, and gastrointestinal dysfunction associated with non-steroidal transcription. Polyamines have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and cardiovascular

Undergraduate | 36 anomalies with cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors (COX-2), the Brooklynn Venteicher search for alternate pain methods has increased over the Co-Authors: Karissa Finke, Seth Springer, Laura past few years. Early studies of a dimer of cinnamic acid, Stoner, Evan Augustyn, & Colton Hall Incarvillateine (INCA), derived from the Chinese herb Mentor: Allen Thomas, Jerome Campbell, Huan-Chieh Incarvillea sinensis, has shown its primary antinociceptive Chien, Arik Zur, Claire Colas, Kathleen Giacomini, & Avner action through the adenosine receptor. The adenosine Schlessinger receptors have four members, A1, A2A, A2B, and A3, with Title: Challenges of Using Rational Design to Optimize Substrate Specificity for the Promiscuous L-type Amino Acid A3 having shown the least amount of adverse side effects. Transporter 1 (LAT1) We hypothesized that our derivates of cinnamic acid, The L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1, SLC7A5) which structurally mimic INCA, would work primarily allows dietary amino acids to enter the brain, as well as through this adenosine A3 receptor. Compounds were transporting drugs that resemble natural amino acids (e.g. synthesized using the CMP photodimerization method. gabapentin and L-DOPA). As amino acid-drug conjugates 3-methoxy cinnamic acid dimer (CAD) was shown to (prodrugs) must compete with millimolar concentrations suppress pain primarily in the inflammatory phase, and of endogenous amino acids for the transporter, it would be the dimer binds to the adenosine 3 receptors (as revealed beneficial to obtain more potent amino acid promoieties. by computer modeling). 3-methoxy CAD compounds To better understand key specificity determinants that were tested in combination with Theophylline (adenosine could improve potency, we developed models of the blocker, 2mg/kg) and Naloxone (opioid blocker, 2mg/ LAT1 binding site to guide the design and synthesis of kg) and confirmed that they were working through substituted analogs of phenylalanine and histidine (e.g. the adenosine pathway instead of an opioid pathway. Figure 1). Furthermore, we evaluated the structure- 3-methoxy CAD was further tested using an antagonist activity relationship (SAR) for both enantiomers of several for specific adenosine receptors. Results suggested that naturally occurring LAT1 substrates. Analogs were tested 3-methoxy CAD is working through the either the A2A or in cis-inhibition and trans-stimulation cell assays to the A2B adenosine receptor (A2A-SCH58261, A2B-PSB603). determine potency and uptake rate. Remarkably, LAT1 can Our further characterization and selection of CAD analogs, transport amino acid-like substrates with wide-ranging with predominant adenosine receptor action, will help us polarities including those containing ionizable substituents to generate a new class of antinociceptives with precise (i.e. carboxylic acid and amine). Additionally, the rate of chemical modifications. LAT1 transport was generally non-stereoselective, even though our SAR data suggest that enantiomers likely Chemistry exhibit different binding modes. Though our models have helped us to generate hypotheses for ligand design, they Kati Frankenberg are currently unable to explain some of the divergent Mentor: Annette Moser SAR that we have observed for this seemingly capricious Title: Identifying the binding location of atrazine and transporter. We will present the synthesis and SAR of its metabolites on human serum albumin using high novel LAT1 substrates and inhibitors, as well as provide performance affinity chromatography examples of how our models have fared in predicting Human Serum Albumin (HSA), the most abundant ligand-transporter interactions. Our findings have greatly transport protein in blood, is able to bind a broad expanded what is known about LAT1 substrate specificity range of solutes including herbicides. In this study high and has broad implications to the development of new performance affinity chromatography (HPAC) was used to treatments for brain disorders and cancer. measure the binding locations of atrazine and three of its main metabolites on HSA using competitive zonal elution and the probe compounds R-warfarin and L-tryptophan. Communication The binding location of atrazine and its metabolites, hydroxyatrazine and deisopropylatrazine, was found to Brittany Hanzlik be Sudlow Site I due to the observed direct competition Mentor: Richard Mocarski with R-warfarin. Separate competitive binding studies Title: The Assessment of Coping Abilities and Intrapersonal Communication Modes for Adults with a Chronic Disease for all four compounds with L-tryptophan showed no and/or Disability competition at Sudlow Site II. Results from an additional With young people now accounting for nearly half study with desethylatrazine will also be presented. of the population worldwide, they are becoming the center of global health policies. (Eleftheriou, Ioannou, Isenberg, & Wedderburn, 2014). In recent literature, there has been a further development in the study of

37 | Undergraduate resiliency and individuals’ ability to cope with adversity English (Figly & Karairmak, 2017). With there being a range of responses toward these types of situations, it’s vital to Megan Gifford obtain knowledge in how young adults cope with and Mentor: Rebecca Umland face adversity head on. Specifically, living with a chronic Title: Dante’s Trek into a Far-Off Galaxy disease and/or disability can be challenging in many This essay will demonstrate the influence of Dante’s “The ways. How one copes and accepts these challenges, Divine Comedy” (c.a. 1300) on “Star Wars” (1977-2005) situations, and/or experiences is the center of this research and “Star Trek” (1966-1969). Dante’s conception of “The project. Through on online survey, individuals will Divine Comedy” as a journey through subterranean and address their resiliency skills, abilities to cope with their celestial realms had a direct impact on the development chronic diseases/disabilities, and other aspects regarding of science fiction and how both George Lucas and Gene intrapersonal communication and how one communicates Roddenberry designed their universes. Tracing the literary with themself to get through adverse events. It is the hope heritage of “Star Trek” and “Star Wars” sheds light on ways that the data obtained from this online survey provides in which Dante influenced the creation of both science insight toward how individuals with chronic diseases/ fiction franchises and on ways he permeates modern disabilities cope with their condition. culture. In addition to his influence as a world-builder, Dante also exercised influence through the structure of Communication Disorders his pilgrim’s journey, and using Joseph Campbell and his idea of the monomyth as outlined in “The Power of Jenilee Woltman Myth” (1988). Commonalities of character typologies and Mentor: Ladan Ghazi Saidi the hero’s journey among “Star Trek”, “Star Wars”, and Title: Effects of Using Animal-Assisted Therapy on Picture “The Divine Comedy” will be examined. Dante, Lucas, Recognition, and Agitation on Older Adults with Mild to and Roddenberry all explored the struggle between good Severe Dementia in Long-Term Care. and evil, for instance, a close comparison of Virgil as The effects of a therapeutic recreation intervention using characterized by Dante with Spock and Yoda reveals ties animal-assisted therapy (AAT) on the picture recognition among all three configurations of the wise guide and the and agitated behaviors of older adults with mild to severe transformative quest of Dante’s pilgrim is mirrored in these dementia were examined using a Picture Recognition two science fiction blockbusters. Close examination of Activity (PRA), Agitation Behavioral Scale (ABS; Corrigan, the medieval poet and his creation verifies the continued 1989), and a General Care Survey. The pilot study was presence of “The Divine Comedy” in Western culture. conducted at a long-term nursing facility in rural Nebraska and consisted of 5 residents with various stages of Chase Harrison dementia. All residents had over two reported incidents of Mentor: Denys Van Renen agitation within two months before the study took place. Title: The Enduring Critic: Richard Brinsley Sheridan and The study consisted of four sessions without an animal- the Theatre of War assisted therapy dog, and four sessions with a certified This study was conducted in correspondence with the therapy dog accompanying them while participating in the work of Richard Brinsley Sheridan. The major focus and PRA. The results of this study showed a decrease in agitated course for this study was the examination of Sheridan’s behaviors by an average of 31.8%, and an increase of 19.6% revered plays: The Critic (1779), The Camp (1778), The of General Health cooperation (including food intake.) The School for Scandal (1777), and The Rivals (1775). Robert PRA had an increase of 28% of questions answered using W. Jones’ review, Sheridan and the Theatre of Patriotism, an AAT dog and had a response time decrease an average was utilized as a secondary source. This essay will examine of 9500 millisecond per correct answer responded for the Sheridan’s plays from the 1770s, illuminating how his 30 questions included. Mean Length of Utterances (MLU) plays comment on the American Revolution and social were tracked for all sessions during the PRA, and MLU’s reformation. increased over 67.4% among all 5 residents when using an As one of the most successful playwrights of his age, AAT dog verses doing the PRA without an AAT dog. Results Sheridan became a prominent member of English of this study showed statistically significant decreases in society. We see through his work as a writer and director agitated behaviors and a significant increase in resident for the stage that Sheridan took advantage of his fame in General Health cooperation, picture recognition, response a continual attempt to reach an increasingly educated times, and mean length of utterances. This study concluded British populace. Like many artists of the Revolutionary that AAT is an effective method to help adults with War Era, Sheridan appealed to the majority of audiences moderate to severe dementia to decrease agitation and and critics by his use of satirical premises. For example, increase general care cooperation and picture recognition. in The Camp, a little-discussed play, Sheridan strayed Undergraduate | 38 from his proverbial norm of the time and utilized musical Family Studies & Interior numbers and fantastic stage décor to repeatedly draw in crowds. However, Sheridan differs from most playwrights Design in that, rather than simply pleasing audiences, his ultimate goal was to educate them. This aim to educate is Cynthia Iloghalu Mentor: Sharon Obasi exemplified through Sheridan’s scripts as he embedded Title: Public Opinion on the Therapeutic Use of Cannabis: A entertainments – plays and military exercises – within Cross-Cultural Analysis his works to undo stereotypes and teach social etiquette. Globally, policies regulating the therapeutic use of Now, over two centuries later, Sheridan’s work is still cannabis are undergoing changes with more countries staged on an international scale. This continued popularity supporting the therapeutic use of cannabis. In 1937 the reinforces the claim that Sheridan’s work offers solutions to commercial cultivation, distribution, and use of cannabis contemporary social and political issues, such as the role and hemp products were illegal in United States (Mickey, of the theatre in helping a wider audience understand the Gregory & Rosenthal, 2011). More recently, however, implications of war. because of medical breakthroughs, public interest has Erica Wood increased, some states in America has now permitted Mentor: Rebecca Umland it for therapeutic and recreational use. Other countries Title: The Evolution of Modern Marriage in 19th-Century across the globe including Canada, Uruguay, Lesotho, Literature have adopted similar policies. Nigeria often referred to The 19th century ushered in an age in which marriage the giant of Africa has been hesitant to consider policy focused on compatibility and love, replacing an old world favoring the therapeutic use of cannabis. Nontherapeutic concept that viewed marriage as a means of merging use of cannabis is common in certain parts of Nigeria. political power and wealth. Marriage in the Victorian era, However, the therapeutic use seems to be less known in especially, serves as a precursor to what we understand Nigeria in comparison with other countries including it to be today. Evidence that the 19th century changed the United States. Thus, this exploratory study examined the concept of marriage can be seen by the fact that it public opinion on the therapeutic use of cannabis in is a central subject in its literature and culture. We can Nigeria and the U.S. Participants (100 from Nigeria and particularly see this in the novels of authors such as Jane 88 from the U.S.) completed an online Qualtrics survey Austen in the beginning of the 19th century and Thomas designed to examine the diversity of public opinion on the Hardy at the end of the 19th century. However, a question therapeutic use of cannabis. Cross-cultural comparisons arises as to why this is so. In order to better understand indicate that Nigerian participants were significantly less this rising interest in marriage, I examined these two aware of the therapeutic use of cannabis and less inclined influential writers and a few of their representative novels: to support policies encouraging the therapeutic use of Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), cannabis. Results also indicate that persons who identify and Mansfield Park (1814) by Jane Austen and Far From as being religious were less likely to support policies on the Madding Crowd (1874), Tess of the D’Urbervilles the therapeutic use of cannabis for fear of abuse. These (1891), and Jude the Obscure (1895) by Thomas Hardy. preliminary findings provide a basis for further research The novels of Jane Austen in the early part of the century into the therapeutic use of cannabis in Nigeria, provide are representative of the shift away from the medieval idea a means of educating Nigerians on the therapeutic use of marriage as a means to retain power, and an interest of cannabis and serve as an initial foray into providing in exploring human happiness through married love. It evidence to support policy and practice on the therapeutic also signaled the start of a real interest in redefining what use of cannabis in Nigeria. marriage should be. The novels of the Brontës, Tennyson, and the Brownings in the middle of the century act as a History midway progression in redefining what marriage should be, but do not essentially differ from the works of Jane Cannon Marchand Austen. Thomas Hardy, in the latter half of the 19th Mentor: Mark Ellis century, shows both continuity and a departure regarding Title: Students in Service marriage. It is from these influential works that our modern During and after the conclusion of World War II the notion of marriage originates. Nebraska State Teachers College Faculty (now UNK) worked to memorialize the students from the college that sacrificed their lives in the War. This work was primarily done by Carrie Ludden, a long-term faculty member, with the support of President of the College Herbert Cushing.

39 | Undergraduate Ludden collected letters, photos, and other documents in the mid 1950s. My research analyzes the experiences about the men and women from the college in the war. and decisions of Edwin Perkins in his early life before he This work was then used to produce memorials in the moved to Hastings that allowed him to be so successful in 1946 Yearbook and Quarterly Bulletin. The collection Nebraska during the time periods of World War II before of documents was then maintained by UNK alumni the Great Depression. His knowledge gained during this association organizer and athletic staff member Don time allowed him to be prosperous during the Great Briggs. After his death the collection was passed to the UNK Depression and years after. Archives where it is today. The collection is now being digitized on the UNK archives Parker Witthuhn website https://openspaces.unk.edu/. This is being done Mentor: Jeff Wells Title: World War I: The Soldiers of Kearney State Normal so the sacrifices of the service members from UNK can School continue to be remembered into the future. It is also to be This project originated out of Dr. Jeff Wells’ Nebraska used for research into the war and contributions from the History course here at UNK. The purpose of the assignment college in Kearney. Most recently the documents have been was to use primary source information from local archives used to shed light on the contribution of small teacher like the University Special Collections and Archives at the colleges in providing the bulk of the aviators that served in Calvin T. Ryan Library and the Buffalo County Historical the war. Society/Trails & Rails Museum Archives, to develop a Macey Stall research project that would contribute to Nebraska History. Mentor: James Rohrer Using letters, poems, newspapers, and yearbooks found Title: The Diaries of Verna Holmes in those previously mentioned archives, as well as other Verna Holmes was a young woman, at the time of her scholarly sources, this article dives into the diverse roles diaries, living in Overton, Nebraska during the Progressive that some 401 Kearney State Normal School students and Era. Specifically, during the years 1904, 1907/8, and 1909. staff played during the First World War. During this time Verna’s diaries cover events such as her Not long after the US entered WWI in April of 1917, the high school graduation, traveling on the Union Pacific government began drafting millions of young men into Railroad, attending college at Cotner College in Bethany, the military with the Selective Service Act and encouraged Nebraska, as well as everyday aspects of her life. volunteers to join up through an intense propaganda By analyzing these diaries, you begin to see day to day campaign. The normal school saw a population drop and events that give us a small window into the life of a young a demographic shift as the male students were drafted and woman at this time period. These aspects include religion, volunteered in their home counties across Nebraska by education, and going against feminine standards. the dozens. Soldiers from KSNS served as airmen, flame and gas engineers, artillery gunners, seamen, infantrymen, Megan Steinhauer medics, and many other positions during the US’s Mentor: Jeff Wells involvement in the war. Three students from the school Title: Perkins’ Past: The Life of Edwin Perkins Before Kool- were killed and many others were wounded or fell ill by Aid November 11, 1918 when the armistice was signed to end Edwin Perkins invented Kool-Aid in Hastings, Nebraska the fighting. With the 100th anniversary of the armistice in 1927 when he was thirty-eight years old; his life leading this past November, remembering the impact of WWI on up to the invention of Kool-Aid was noteworthy in which this institution may help the current UNK community his familial upbringing can be credited towards his success foster a better future. as an entrepreneurial business man. Edwin Perkins and his family moved to many different places within Nebraska because of the influences of family ties, available resources, Kinesiology & Sports Sciences and the railroad before moving to Chicago, the food industry capital in the 1930s, once Kool-Aid flourished. Taylor A Stewart Mentor: Megan Adkins The decision of David Perkins, Edwin’s father, to open up Title: Innovation in Teacher Preparation through a mercantile when Edwin was younger allowed him to Experiential Learning: PETE Undergraduate Perception experiment and learn business skills that ultimately guided Clinical practice and field experiences are key elements in his entrepreneurial lifestyle and allowed him to experience equipping pre-service teachers with essential knowledge, owning his own business. Though Perkins invented skills, and dispositions to become a well-prepared, more than just Kool-Aid, his well-known fruity drink is confident, quality teacher. Many university PhysEd teacher still thriving today because of his ability to take risks and preparation programs across the country rely strictly on make decisions that led him to be a leading business man peer teaching rather than providing the opportunity for

Undergraduate | 40 their students to teach children. The aim of this study was 12 setting. A survey was sent to participants including to investigate pre-service physical education teachers’ questions from the “PhysEd Teachers’ Perceptions Role self-assessment of their confidence and competence in Impacting Childhood Obesity” and “The Perceptions of levels in course preparation and achievement after having Student Motivation Questionnaire.” The presentation will the opportunity to teach for 8-weeks in an experiential articulate the importance of integrating technology into PhysEd teaching lab prior to student teaching. Sixty- PhysEd, results of the current study, correlations between eight male & female pre-service teachers, nineteen to findings from all research I have completed and my overall twenty-four years of age, categorized as junior status or experience and impact the Undergraduate Research higher in their educational program at UNK completed Fellow program has provided me for the past three years to the Achieving the NASPE Standards Inventory and the prepare me to become an educator. Course Preparation Effectiveness Survey (Chen, 2003; AL-Tawil, 2009). The result indicated pre-service teachers felt they were more prepared through the experiential Mathematics & Statistics teaching lab, and confident in their teaching compared Evan Olson to only being provided the opportunity to teach peers. Mentor: Jia Huang Additionally, students were adequately prepared in the Title: Binary Operations Involving Roots of Unity disposition of pedagogy, reflected on the total score of the For certain binary operations * defined using a root of NASPE standard inventory. Conclusive evidence was found unity, we study the results obtained from an expression through the results of the study that experiential learning x_0*x_1*....*x_n by inserting parentheses and permuting experiences should be further explored by other university variables. PhysEd programs rather than completing the traditional This is related to the nonassociativity and peer practice teaching approach. noncommutativity of such an operation. We find a recursive description of the sign patterns in the results, and Danielle Tilley precisely count distinct results in some special cases. Mentor: Megan Adkins Title: Teacher Perceptions of the Influence of Technology Integration on Childhood Obesity and Student Music, Theater, & Dance Understanding of Physical Activity Levels Technology integration in PhysEd has expanded Chloe Murphy within the last five years due to affordability, advances Mentor: Anne Foradori in technology, and teacher interest. Over the next Title: Edward Elgar’s Sea Pictures: A Personal Musical four years it is projected that wearable technology in Journey schools will grow by forty-six percent (Technavio, 2018). Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934) composed the cycle of Incorporating wearable technologies into the physed five songs, Sea Pictures, op. 37 (1899) for noted British classroom changes instructional strategies utilized by contralto Clara Butt. Elgar arranged this cycle for both teachers and could positively affect a child’s motivation contralto and orchestra, and contralto and piano. Miss to workout, therefore increasing physical activity levels, Butt sang première performances of each setting only and potentially decreasing the number of children five days apart in October 1899, with Elgar at the podium categorized as overweight or obese. To date minimal and the keyboard. The songs are cyclical, with a primary research has been conducted in relation to the influence melodic motif from the first song reappearing throughout of wearable technologies in the PhysEd classroom which the cycle. The structure of the songs is reminiscent of the is why for the past three years I have studied this topic in movements of a Romantic Period symphony – alternating my URF projects. The purpose of this presentation is to slow and fast tempi and longer and shorter songs in both provide an overview of my past URF projects related to strophic and through-composed structure. The entire set technology and PhysEd and to discuss the study results of songs is twenty minutes in length and depict five distinct from my final project. Past URF studies have focused on moods of the sea. Sea Pictures was written in a prolific year the child perspective of wearable technologies in PhysEd. of Edward Elgar’s compositional output during which he The current study attempts to identify physed teacher composed two other major works, Enigma Variations, op. perceptions of their school’s current wearable technology 36 and The Dream of Gerontius, op. 38. In 1899 at the age of resources and how these resources assist their instructional forty-two, Elgar married Caroline Alice Roberts, eight years strategies to address concerns of childhood obesity through his senior. A respected author of prose and poetry, C. Alice, the achievement of physical activity recommendations. as she was known professionally, collaborated with him as Participants in the study were licensed, practicing physed text author of eighteen vocal works, including the second teachers from across the country who taught in the Pk- song, “In Haven” of Sea Pictures. This paper considers

41 | Undergraduate Edward Elgar’s personal musical journey from a humble intertwining can also be used in analyzing current trends largely self-taught musician influenced by a diverse group in feminism. Many current politicians, such as Alexandria of continental composers such as Dvorak, Brahms, Wagner, Ocasio Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilhan Omar have not and Delibes to a significant composer whose unique and shied away from socialist politics. However, whether they mature voice emerged in profound orchestral works by are putting the theoretical framework of socialist feminism 1899. Elgar’s seminal work for solo voice and orchestra, Sea into practice will be examined. Pictures will form the basis for this discussion Makenzie Petersen Mentor: Diane Duffin Political Science Title: Improving Teaching by Improving Teachers: What Nebraska is Doing in Regard to Professional Development of Jasmine Baeringer Educators Mentor: Charles Rowling Within the last forty years, Finland has undergone an Title: Race to the bottom?: Consequences of Globalization on extreme education reform in which they have been able Labor to change their entire reputation from having mediocre In a world where money drives almost all activity, academic performance to being one of the most prominent Unites States’ companies are “forced” to participate in a education leaders in the world. This success is attributed to cycle of competition with other businesses to maintain many factors including teacher professional development. high sales and maximize profits. “Globalization and its This project is part of a larger comparative analysis Discontents: Revisited” by Joseph Stiglitz is one source between Finland and the US. To understand how education that facilitates understanding of the United States’ role in policymakers in the US attempt to improve teaching, this the international system in a broader sense. Essentially, to study examines the policy framework governing teacher continue earning money, various corporations have shifted professional development in Nebraska. their production overseas, to developing countries, in There is not one distinct list of rules regarding professional order to capitalize on the higher productivity, lower wages, development within the Nebraska Department of and lenient labor standards. Are companies like Walmart Education, but instead, the criteria are found within Rule and Starbucks exploiting overseas workers? Should these 10 of Title 92 of the Nebraska Administrative Code, chapter developing countries be satisfied with any sort of growth, 79, section 830 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes, and even if the system is not in their favor? Are these workers among the various school policies. To understand the full satisfied with their jobs? The answers are not simple ones, range of professional development practices in the state, and the truth, as it often does, lies somewhere in the I sampled eight Nebraska school districts of varying size middle. and complexity. I then read each district’s professional Mia Grant development policy and assembled a classification Mentor: William Aviles scheme. The school policies and regulations for the Title: Socialist Feminism in Theory and Practice sampled schools explained how their faculty could satisfy Feminism and socialism have long been viewed through the professional development criteria stated within the two separate lenses. Historically, feminism is known for Nebraska Unicameral Statute 79-830, listing both what is advancing women’s rights in order to reduce inequality outlined within the statute and many of the equivalencies between women and men. Socialism advocates for the that could also satisfy the criteria. worker, as the theory holds that the means of production Through this research, I have found it evident that the should be owned communally by the workers. However, Nebraska Department of Education puts an emphasis on socialist feminists seek to combine the two in order to the importance of professional development, but because analyze women’s oppression. This paper will examine of the laxity within the equivalencies of the required the clear link socialist feminists see between capitalist professional development, the state may not be reaching exploitation and the patriarchal domination of which its highest potential of professional development within women have been subjected. With the two theories educators. combined, the intersection of gender and class work together to produce a system that produces inequalities Jesus R Ramirez Mentor: Joan Blauwkamp between women and men. Theorists such as Silvia Title: A Survey Experiment in Attitudes about Gun Control Federici, Zillah Eisenstein, and Alexandra Kollontai have This paper researches the effects that question wording each examined this link. This paper will consider the may have on gun-control attitudes of UNK students. interconnections between these theorists through an Question wording may cause a respondent to support exploration of their central works that are focused upon a policy that they might not have if extra word cues the exploitation caused by capitalism and patriarchy. This

Undergraduate | 42 were not included. Researchers have used multiple Teacher Education methods: question wording interacting with other factors, changing the survey order and organization, and using Elizabeth Hawney deliberate contextual cues that may affect respondent’s Mentor: Dena Harshbarger attitudes. Although there has been countless research on Title: The Art of Science how question wording effects other policies, not many The purpose of this study was to show that art can be researchers have strongly focused on gun-control attitudes used in an inquiry-based lesson plan to increase the or have not conducted their own experiments. Instead of engagement and connections that students make during researching the effects of question wording, researchers the lesson. The science lesson was taught to a group of also tend to focus on how gun-control policies are viewed third grade students in a mid-western elementary school. by the public after a major shooting event has occurred. The lesson incorporated several components; (a) A science This researcher will study how question wording influences related picture book for the teacher to read aloud; (b) attitudes—without depending on a major event having class discussions; (c) an inquiry-based learning activity, taken place. It similarly follows the study—conducted (d) science journaling, and (e) an art project. The findings by Borrelli and Locerbie (2008)—that measured what of this study provided preliminary evidence of students the effects were of using a “prestigious” word, or phrase, increased vocabulary, science knowledge and high student on the American public attitudes for the Gulf War and engagement. Future studies will be designed to gather the Second War with Iraq. They found that using these additional data related to these areas. The study was found words or phrases had a great impact on the responses to have limitations and further research is planned in the that the participants gave. This paper will explore how future. the mentioning of a gun-control policy influences a respondent’s attitude toward that policy. It is hoped that this study will inform the public about how their responses may be influenced by question wording. Social Work Alyssa Hoffmann Mentor: Maha Younes Title: Annotated Bibliography on Social Work Practice Classes Taught Online There is a demand for education classes to be presented in an online format. Social Work programs have been hesitated to transfer practice classes from the traditional face-to-face format to the online web-based format. Compiling the previously completed research in an annotated bibliography allows for better assessment of undergraduate social work practice classes online. Some questions attempting to address include. What are the concerns for online teaching of undergraduate social work practice skills? What, if any models exist for teaching online social work practice courses? How effective are online formats in teaching social work practice skills? What strategies are employed to promote acquisition of skill, student engagement, and community building? How do learning outcomes differ when comparing online and traditional face-to-face social work practice classes? The compiled research shows social work practice classes can be taught online; however, the considerations which need to take place in advance are monumental.

43 | Undergraduate | 44 UNK Graduate Programs

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45 | Graduate Graduate Poster Abstracts

Poster G03 – Gretchen K McBride Behavioral & Social Mentor: Tammi Ohmstede Title: Kindergarten Outcomes on Academic Readiness Skills Sciences Kindergarten students are expected to make significant academic progress during their first year in a structured Counseling and School learning environment, regardless of their socio-economic status, gender, or if their primary language is not English. Psychology In this study, archival data from 258 kindergarten children in a rural, mid-western public school were obtained. The Poster G01 – Robyn King Bracken School Readiness Assessment (BSRA-3) from Co-Authors: Alexa Allgood, Tom Polinko, & Matt the fall of 2012 and spring of 2013 was used to assess the Ulrich amount of academic knowledge gained during that school Mentor: Jennifer Joy Title: Socioeconomic Status Effects on 4th and 5th Grade year. A strong relationship was identified between the fall Reading Scores and spring BRSA-3 assessment scores, as well as between The purpose of our study was to examine if socioeconomic fall assessment scores and English language learner status (SES) is a predictor of Measures of Academic status. However, no significant effects or interactions Progress-Reading (MAP-R) and Dynamic Indicator of were found between socio-economic status, gender, Basic Literacy Skills (DIBELS) scores for 4th and 5th grade and scores. Each student entering kindergarten arrives students. Students were divided into two groups low with their own individual strengths and areas of need or socioeconomics status (LSES) and non-low socioeconomic challenges. Schools must be ready and able to adjust their status (NLSES), measured by Free and Reduced Lunch academic expectations and curricula to match the unique status. Archival data were gathered from sixty-nine 4th and needs of each student, in order to ensure they all receive 5th grade students in small Midwestern school district. SES appropriate instruction to build the basic foundations of was a significant predictor of MAP-R scores for 5th grade education required to be successful. students. The findings suggest socioeconomic status may impact standardized assessment scores. Poster G04 – Tanya Rasher-Miller Mentor: Tammi Ohmstede Poster G02 – Kloreace Linke Title: School Readiness Predicting Early Literacy Skills and Academic Achievement Co-Authors: Taylor Strong & Klint Conroy Mentor: Jennifer Joy As set forth within the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Title: The Impact of English Language Proficiency and the current emphasis on accountability to help assure Socioeconomic Status on Map and Dibels Scores adequate academic performance of school-age children The purpose of the present study was to determine if has increased the number of schools assessing children socioeconomic status and English language proficiency at the entry level. Schools are targeting students as young would predict standardized assessment scores (MAP- as preschool or kindergarten to determine the factors that Reading and DIBELS) in the fourth and fifth grade. To predict academic success on assessments. Although all do this, the effects of socioeconomic status and English factors are of interest, low socioeconomic status (SES) and language proficiency were investigated in terms of English Language Learners (ELL) were two chosen for this academic success. For this study, our research question study. A common assessment is the Measure of Academic was: How does poverty (Free and Reduced Lunch vs. Progress (MAP) Assessment, which is administered in Non-Free and Reduced Lunch) and ELL status predict the beginning, middle and end of the school year. This DIBELS scores and MAP-R scores for fourth and fifth grade study looked at the predictive validity of early academic students?. Archival data from 58 forth grade students measures on reading and math achievement of students. (N=29 DIBELS, N=29 MAPS-R) and 74 fifth grade students This study addresses the question whether the Bracken (N=38 DIBELS, N=36 MAP-R) were analyzed. Results, School Readiness Assessment (BSRA) is predictive of MAP implications, limitations, and future research directions reading and math when controlling for the socioeconomic will be discussed. Graduate | 46 status (SES) and the English Language Learners status progress provides educators with information needed to (ELL). The data for this study is from archival data from help decrease achievement gaps between students living in a Midwest school during the 2012-2013 academic school poverty and those with more resources. For this study, data years. The data includes 147 students from an elementary were gathered from 109 Kindergarten and 100 First grade school. Findings support the hypothesis that the BSRA students at a Midwestern school district and analyzed. scores are predictive of first grade MAP reading and MAP This study found that poverty demonstrated a significant math scores. effect on DIBELS scores. For educators, this may require diligence and fidelity with interventions to help bridge the Poster G05 – Jacob Sandman gap of students with a socio-economic disadvantage. Mentor: Douglas Tillman Title: Global Partnerships: Bringing the World to Your University Exhibited on this poster is a model for the creation and maintenance of an international collaboration between universities in the area of mental health. A step-by-step process is described followed by its real life application to a joint research study currently underway. Finally, the implications of such a model are explored to minimize mistakes and enhance the positive effects of international collaboration for students, faculty, and university administration. Poster G06 – Courtney Schendt Co-Authors: Carlynn Sjomeling, Madison Pleak, & Jessie Walter Mentor: Jennifer Joy Title: Reading Curricula Impacts on High-Stakes Testing The purpose of this study is to provide school districts the efficacy of two elementary reading curricula (i.e. Treasures, and Novel Ideas.) Student proficiency was explored by collecting results of the benchmark assessment Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)- Reading, during the spring semester of a school year from 3-6th grade students. Students scored higher on the MAP-Reading assessment after the reading instruction from Novel Ideas curriculum. A significant difference was found in the group of students in 4th through 6th grade and no statistical significance found within 3rd grade spring MAP-Reading scores. Findings suggest that student’s may perform better on high stakes tests after utilizing the Novel Ideas curriculum. Poster G07 – Misty Wroblewski Co-Author: Lynsdy Rinehart Mentor: Tammi Ohmstede Title: Poverty as a Predictor for Academic Performance in Kindergarten and First Grade Early learning has long been recognized as pivotal in a child’s long-term academic success, suggesting that early intervention has been shown to be one of the most effective ways to positively impact student achievement. Poverty is defined as the extent to which an individual goes without resources, when it comes to academic performance a lack in resources can mean an increased in achievement gaps. Monitoring student achievement and

47 | Graduate Poster G09 – Elaina Eddy Professional & Applied Mentor: Philip Lai Title: Speech and Gesture Differences in Individuals Based Studies on Levels of Task Difficulty Communication using verbal and nonverbal channels Communication Disorders is vital for conversation. Nonverbal channels consist of communicative gestures that are typically co-verbal and Poster G08 – Joslynne Alms provide information consistent with the verbal message Mentor: Ladan Ghazi Saidi but can provide information not contained in the verbal Title: Performance of Older Adults in Auditory Simon Task: message (Scharp et al., 2007). The purpose of this study was Noise Vs. Silence to explore how individuals communicated after engaging Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has in tasks consisting of three different levels of difficulty. become a frequently used neuroimaging method for A secondary aim of this project was to assess David cognitive neuroscience research and clinically-based McNeill’s Growth Point Hypothesis (2005), proposing applications over the past two decades. Evidence suggests language and gesture form an integrated system. We that the scanner noise emitted during fMRI may decrease devised a micro-analytic coding scheme investigating cognitive performance – including language and auditory how individuals use and integrate speech and gestures cognitive processes – although this effect is largely during social interaction. Six adults participated, with two unknown. Additionally, it has been shown that noisy adults completing the most physical task, two completing a conditions as a whole may evoke decreased performance in physical task while seated, and two completing the non- older populations. The purpose of the current study was to physical task. Multi-tier annotations were created based compare the performance of older adults in fMRI noise and on behaviors from video data using Eudico Linguistic silent conditions in an auditory Simon task. Twenty right- Annotator (ELAN). Results showed that after completing handed older adults between the ages 60-85 participated a task, interview times tended to be shorter in post- in this study. All participants were healthy with normal interview than pre-interview (Mean % drop-off between hearing. A neuropsychological battery was administered the two interviews = -25.17%) suggesting the context of prior to the primary Simon task to control for confounding the interview played a role in conversation times. Open- variables between monolingual and bilingual participants. ended questions from the pre-interview may have provided An auditory Simon task was administered under two participants with more leeway in expression. Task difficulty experimental conditions: 1) silence, and 2) broadband seems to be playing a role, since the two greatest drops noise generated by the fMRI scanner. The participants in timing were in the most complex task (-55.55% and were presented the stimulus word “gauche” (“left”) or -48.51%), the next timing drops were in the seated physical “droit” (“right”) either congruently or incongruently to the task (-34.09% and -29.19%), and the least amount of time reference ear via insert earphones. Additionally, functional change between the two-interviews were found in the responses were recorded in a control condition in which non-physical task (-16.11% and +32.4%). With respect to the stimulus was presented neutrally, that is, presented in gesture, four of the six subjects decreased gestures from both ears. A one-way ANOVA was used to compare mean pre-interview to post-interview, suggesting data for the accuracy rates (AR) while a one-sample t-test was used to most part fits McNeill’s hypothesis. The two subjects in the compare mean response times (RT) between the fMRI and most difficult task decreased their gestures, suggesting task noise conditions. Statistically significant differences were difficulty may impact how one expresses after performing found between fMRI noise and silence for both AR and a task. RT. Results indicated that fMRI scanner noise positively affected Simon task performance, as the participants were Poster G10 – Breana Johnson quicker and more accurate at responding to an auditory Mentor: Philip Lai stimulus while in the fMRI noise condition. In combination Title: The Relationship Between Facial Expression, with the bilingual advantages of our population sample, Communication, and Task Difficulty these findings may be supported by the view that noise Facial expressions are central to many aspects of social conditions recruit increased attentional control. communication. In a successful conversation, participants need to identify emotions from both verbal and nonverbal channels of communication (Itier & Batty, 2009). Facial expressions can provide important information such as a person’s attitudinal response, attentional focus, and a person’s current emotional state or response. The goal of this study is to investigate how individuals communicate,

Graduate | 48 use, and integrate facial expression with speech, as adults their rates of eye contact. The four decreased on average of complete tasks varying on different levels of difficulty. The 3.1 fewer instances of eye contact per minute. The context majority of past facial expression studies have examined an of the interview and task exertion and physical activity, individual’s ability to decode facial information, focused seem to have an effect on an individual’s eye gaze behavior on facial decoding and perceptual skills. There are few when conducting an interview. Perhaps the performance studies that have examined the production of spontaneous on the task (i.e. having difficulty completing the task) may facial expressions in adults. For this project, three tasks influence how an individual would express themselves were created. In the easy task, a person would be sitting after the task is over. Future studies will investigate down and reading a manual. In the middle-average teamwork, and how eye gaze behaviors play a role when difficulty task, a person would be sitting down, moving individuals are dependent on their partners to complete marbles in certain patterns. In the most difficult task, a tasks that is time-sensitive for their team. person would be moving around various sports balls in patterns. In this NASA-sponsored project, two adults each completed the easy task, middle-average task, and difficult task. To capture facial expressions, we used the software platform called Eudico Linguistic Annotator (ELAN). Comparing pre-interview to post-interview, four of the six subjects decreased their rates of facial expressions (Means per minute: pre-interview 7.88 vs. post-interview 6.67). This trend was also observed in interview times, as five individuals were not as expressive in the post-interview compared to the pre-interview. Furthermore, the two subjects in the most difficult task both decreased their facial expressions, suggesting that task difficulty may play a role. A future project will assess teamwork and whether the pressures of working in a team affect facial expressions and communication. Poster G11 – Rachel Southard Mentor: Philip Lai Title: The Role of Attention and Eye Contact in Speech after Completing Tasks Varying on Physical and Mental Exertion Direct eye contact and averted eye gaze can dictate turn- taking behaviors in conversation. During conversation, gazing away may signal a breakdown in communication (Keltner, 1995). The goal of this study is to investigate whether task difficulty affects the amount of eye contact completed when participants discuss their finished task. Previous studies have found a link between task difficulty and gaze behavior (e.g. Pollatsek et al. 1986). Eye contact was isolated in a software platform called Eudico Linguistic Annotator (ELAN). Annotations began when the individual gazed towards the face of the interviewer and ceased when the gaze left the interviewer. There were three different levels of physical activity, the first being the most physical where individuals are completing a task on their feet, the second level being a physical activity only requiring their hands and finally the third level where the individual would be sitting down and reading a manual. Two adults were randomly assigned to each task difficulty. Results showed that when comparing the length of the pre- interview to post-interview, 5 out of 6 individuals’ interview times tended to be shorter in the post-interview. With respect to eye contact, four of the six subjects decreased

49 | Graduate Graduate Oral Presentation Schedule

Ponderosa C Ponderosa D 8:00 am...... Justin Horn 8:00 am...... Robert Ritson Effects of Climate on the British Isles and English Civil War Obscured Sun, Obscure Behavior: Exploring Mentor – Mary Ailes the Effects of a Solar Eclipse on Animal Movement Mentors – Dustin Ranglack, Nate Bickford, & Melissa Wuellner 8:30 am...... Nathan Mauslein An Empire Divided: The Rivalry between 8:30 am...... Shannon Schlater Austria and Prussia from the Prussian Perspective How Perches, Small Mammal Abundance, and Mentor – Mary Ailes Vegetation Influence the Presence of Red-tailed Hawks Mentors – Dustin Ranglack & Nate Bickford 9:00 am...... Robyn King An Assessment of Self-Proclaimed Transgender 9:00 am...... Cody Willmore and Gender Diverse Behavioral Health Providers Aquaponic Systems: A Comparative Assessment of Mentor – Richard Mocarski Commercial and Reclaimed Crop Production Systems Mentors – Marc Albrecht & Nate Bickford 9:30 am...... Tina Schumacher Deeper Understanding is Forged Through Allusion 9:30 am...... Miranda Reinson Mentor – Maria O’Malley Resource Selection of White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Verginianus) During the 10:00 am...... Ruby Bell Growing and Non-Growing Seasons Gender Affirming Healthcare, Cultural Mentors – Dustin Ranglack & Nate Bickford Competency, and Training of Professionals Mentors – Sharon Obasi & Richard Mocarski 10:00 am...... Jourdan Ringenberg Habitat Selection and Spatial Distribution of Eastern 10:30 am...... Megan Naylor Cottontail Rabbits in a Fragmented Agricultural Landscape Speech Production of Children with Hearing Loss Mentors – Dustin Ranglack & Nate Bickford Mentor – Jan Moore 10:30 am...... John Rech A Catalyst Between Two Different Realms of Education: The UNK Home School Physical Education Program Mentor – Megan Adkins

Graduate | 50 Graduate Oral Presentation Schedule

NSU 310 8:00 am...... Tessa Burford Literary Portraiture: Framed by Societal Constructs Mentor – Maria O’Malley

8:30 am...... Zach Weber (Zoom) Syntactical Patterns and Rhetorical Modes in Modern Political Discourse Mentor – Maria O’Malley

9:00 am...... Gregory F. Withrow (Zoom) Two Sides of One Coin: Base Differences Between World War II British and American Airborne Force Structures Mentor – Mark Ellis

9:30 am...... David Blakely (Zoom) Mormon Church Participation in the Great War Effort: The Coming of Age of a Nineteenth Century Religion Mentor – Douglas Biggs

10:00 am...... Blake Weeder (Zoom) Water, Fuel, and Forage: Environmental Realities and the Viability of Fort Kearny on the Platte Mentor – David Vail

10:30 am...... Meaghan Pasbrig Camp Grant Massacre of 1871: The Trial Mentor – Jeff Wells

51 | Graduate Graduate Oral Presentation Abstracts

Biology Jourdan M Ringenberg Mentors: Dustin Ranglack & Nate Bickford Miranda Reinson Title: Habitat Selection and Spatial Distribution of Eastern Mentors: Dustin Ranglack & Nate Bickford Cottontail Rabbits in a Fragmented Agricultural Landscape Title: Resource Selection of White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Knowledge about wildlife space use in response to Verginianus) During the Growing and Non-Growing environmental and climatic changes is necessary to Seasons conserve vulnerable species. Specifically, with further Resource selection has become a more prevalent topic understanding of how species utilize the landscape, we in wildlife research due to the advancements in wildlife can better manage their populations in hopes to provide tracking technology and geographic positioning system a more symbiotic relationship between humans and (GPS). The most popular method of analyzing GPS collar wildlife. Rabbit species act as ecosystem engineers, as data is through a resource selection function (RSF) to they perform behaviors that benefit other species and relate environmental variables at known GPS locations often their populations can be an indicator of ecosystem of animals to what is available. Resource selection is an health. Understanding how ecosystems are impacted by important component of understanding wildlife ecology, climatic and environmental changes will prove necessary particularly in areas influenced by anthropogenic in the human population’s adaptation to these changes. disturbances, including habitat fragmentation through Eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) live agricultural practices. Although white-tailed deer among us in a plethora of environments, yet little is known (Odocoileus virginianus) have adapted to intensively about their use of space across fragmented, agricultural cultivated environments there could still be potential landscapes or how they respond to habitat modifications impacts, due to the rapid changes in landscape between and climate variances. As the climate continues to change the planting and harvest seasons. We will fit an RSF to and landscape modifications are in full force, the spatial examine white-tailed deer resource selection and make distribution of rabbit populations will likely shift in inferences at the population level between the growing response. We investigated the spatial distribution and and non-growing seasons in an area of high agricultural habitat selection of eastern cottontails in fragmented disturbance. White-tailed deer were captured during farmland in south-central Nebraska. We captured and November 2017- March 2018/November 2018 – February outfitted rabbits with radio-telemetry collars and tracked 2019 using clover traps and drop nets. Each adult female their movements for the duration of a year. Additionally, was fitted with a GPS collar and each adult male captured we collected vegetation and local weather data to analyze received a GPS Global System for Mobile (GSM) ear tag to further potential factors that may influence the spatial collect data every hour for two years, a fix rate of 24/day. patterns of rabbits. Utilizing remotely sensed imagery, we We will examine the effects of season and environmental were able to plot rabbit locations in ArcGIS and determine variables including distance to roads and water, NDVI, patterns of habitat preference. Our initial findings suggest and canopy cover on white-tailed deer habitat use. Rapid that rabbits utilize available habitat differently between the changes occur in agricultural landscapes between the crop-growing and non-growing seasons. We believe this growing and non-growing seasons. Thus, we would expect is in response to availability of protective cover and food to see deer use areas with higher percent cover rather than resources that cropland offers in the growing season. Thus, agricultural fields during the non-growing season, due to proper management for rabbits in fragmented agricultural reduction in available cover. Management implications landscapes may include providing protective cover and to address this selection change between the two seasons opportunities to connect between fragmented habitats in could include providing more cover and browse in areas of the non-growing seasons. high agricultural intensity when the resources are limited on the landscape during the non-growing season.

Graduate | 52 Robert Ritson habitat characteristics most strongly influence Red-tailed Mentors: Dustin Ranglack, Nate Bickford, & Melissa Hawk presence in a highly fragmented, agricultural area, Wuellner we preformed roadside raptor surveys to determine areas Title: Obscured Sun, Obscure Behavior: Exploring the Effects of high and low Red-tailed Hawk use. We then conducted of a Solar Eclipse on Animal Movement seasonal small mammal trapping and vegetation surveys A solar eclipse can alter atmospheric conditions and in those areas. Our results suggest that utility poles, offer a unique opportunity to test their influence on vegetation, and small mammal species richness all animal behavior. To date, few studies have documented influence the presence or absence of Red-tailed Hawks. observations of animal movements during such rare Specifically, we found summer low-use Red-tailed Hawk events. The purpose of our investigation was to empirically areas to have denser vegetation that may visually obstruct quantify animal movement changes during the 2017 Great hunting Red-tailed Hawks. However, winter and fall high- American Solar Eclipse through the use of GPS locations. use sites reported taller vegetation, which suggests that as We collected GPS tracking data from 9 species of birds long as the vegetation is not too dense, taller vegetation (n=37) and 2 mammals (n=40) across the continental supports a higher quality hunting habitat for Red-tailed United States from August 20-22, 2017. Bird species Hawks. Further, spring high-use sites reported lower small included bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), black mammal species richness, while summer and fall high-use vultures (Coragyps atratus), ferruginous hawks (Buteo sites detected higher small mammal species richness. regalis), golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), great blue heron (Ardea herodias), great egrets (Ardea alba), osprey Cody G Willmore (Pandion haliaetus), turkey vultures (Cathartes aura), Mentors: Marc Albrecht & Nate Bickford and western gulls (Larus occidentalis), and mammal Title: Aquaponic Systems: A Comparative Assessment of species included elk (Cervus canadensis) and mule deer Commercial and Reclaimed Crop Production Systems (Odocoileus hemionus). A Wilcoxon signed-rank test As the global population increases, available food is for paired data was used to compare animal movements decreasing, while becoming more expensive. Traditional during the solar eclipse to those of the day before and agriculture is currently maintaining food production, but after. Overall, a higher proportion of birds appeared to farmland is being lost to either poor soil or the housing significantly alter their movement (p<0.1) during the industry. With declining agriculture and expensive eclipse than mammals, even though a larger proportion of food, families are looking for alternatives for readily the mammals experienced totality (100% obscuration of available and inexpensive produce. One possible method the Sun). Significant differences in movement were more is aquaponics. Aquaponics is the practice of growing likely to be found among individuals with more frequent plants by raising fish and using the waste as fertilizer. GPS fix-rates. Obscuration seemed to be less important The advantage using these systems is they can be built in than duration in describing overall patterns. Examining any space available. However, the designs used are very how animals respond to environmental changes, such as different and have limited research confirming how well those induced by a solar eclipse, can provide insight to the they work. We evaluated the productivity of a commercial scale at which stimuli influence movements. This study aquaponic system and an aquaponic system based on supports that animals do acutely respond to environmental discarded material. This study used basil (Ocimum changes induced by a solar eclipse. Our results also basilicum) and tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). underscore the importance of appropriate data for in order The first experiment compared basil growth with equal to adequately addressing research questions in movement numbers of plants in each system. The average wet weight ecology. of basil in the commercial system was 12.7 g 9.8 versus 2.0 g ± 2.2 in the reclaimed system. The commercial system Shannon M. Schlater produced more basil, but led to questioning how equal Mentors: Dustin Ranglack & Nate Bickford basil spacing would affect productivity. This poster will Title: How Perches, Small Mammal Abundance, and explain the productivity of basil between both commercial Vegetation Influence the Presence of Red-tailed Hawks and reclaimed systems with equal numbers, equal density. Raptor movement and behavior are strongly influenced by a raptors’ need to acquire prey. As a result, we would expect species such as Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), to inhabit areas with accessible and abundant prey. Red-tailed Hawks have previously been known to avoid areas of dense vegetation, likely due to the inaccessibility of prey, as well as areas of sparse vegetation, likely due to the absence of prey. In order to examine which

53 | Graduate Communication Disorders People, 2010). One reason for suboptimal healthcare may be the Megan Naylor educational preparedness of healthcare providers. The Mentor: Jan Moore purpose of this study, therefore, is to assess the educational Title: Speech Production of Children with Hearing Loss preparedness of healthcare personnel in rural settings to Permanent sensorineural hearing loss in children is provide gender diverse affirming healthcare; to identify any a life-altering condition that impacts their language, deficits in the provision of healthcare; and, to determine literacy, auditory skills, and speech production. Over the any recommendations that may be utilized to minimize or last 2 decades there has been an abundance of research eliminate deficits. exploring outcomes of children with profound hearing Two hundred participants will complete an online loss who have obtained cochlear implants. There has been Qualtrics survey to assess their educational preparedness more limited research on children who wear hearing aids. to provide gender-affirming care. Participants will include The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship healthcare trainees or professionals as follows: Group1 between severity of hearing loss and age variables on – first or second year healthcare trainee (n=50), Group2 speech production abilities at 4, 5, 6, and 7 years-of-age. – third or fourth year healthcare trainee (n=50), Group3 – Twenty-four children with sensorineural hearing loss early professional (less than 5 years in practice; n=50) and participated in this study. All of the children were assessed Group4 – professional (5 or more years of practice; n=50). through the Colorado Home Intervention Program (CHIP). All of the participants were native English speakers, utilized Robyn King hearing aids, used auditory-oral communication, and had Mentor: Richard Mocarski Title: An Assessment of Self-Proclaimed Transgender and hearing parents. None of the children had concomitant Gender Diverse Behavioral Health Providers disabilities. Severity of hearing loss was measured by Health disparate and stigmatized groups often have their pure-tone average (PTA). Age factors included age trouble gaining access to care. Barriers to care include of identification, age of hearing aid fit, and age at the time financial and physical issues and for stigmatized groups early intervention began. Speech production was assessed can include inappropriate or refusal of care. This is true for utilizing the Goldman Fristoe Test of Articulation (GFTA) the Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) individuals, a and speech samples recorded in their home with their growing segment of the population that estimates number parents. Percent Consonants Correct (PCC) and Percent 1% of the US. TGD persons have a heightened need to Vowels Correct (PVC) measures were calculated from see behavioral healthcare providers due to elevated rates the speech samples. PTA was associated with speech of anxiety, depression, and suicidality in the population. production at 5, 6, and 7 years of age, meaning better Furthermore, they are at the whims of archaic systems of hearing was significantly correlated with better speech gatekeeping for gender-affirming care that require one scores on all measures. Surprisingly, age factors were not or two letters from behavioral healthcare providers prior associated with any of the speech outcome measures at to gender replacement therapy or affirmative surgical any age interval. Therefore, hearing loss severity with use procedures--all procedures that have been shown to of hearing aids was the most salient predictor of speech reduce depression and suicidality in the population. development in children with hearing loss. To find affirming providers, the population often turns to internet searches for gender-affirming behavioral Counseling & School Psychology healthcare professions. Therefore, the current study was an assessment of self-proclaimed TGD-affirming behavioral Ruby Bell healthcare providers. The survey specifically looked at Mentors: Sharon Obasi & Richard Mocarski the providers’ education and preparedness to work with Title: Gender Affirming Healthcare, Cultural Competency, the TGD population. Participants were selected through and Training of Professionals google incognito searches of 25 states and recruited via Transgender and Gender diverse (TGD) persons, publicly available email addresses collected from the approximately 1% of the U.S. population (Gates, 2011), providers’ public websites. Through an online Qualtrics often report barriers to adequate healthcare resultant of survey, participants answered a series of questions about stigma and social discrimination (Norton and Herek, 2013; education, preparedness, and comfort levels when working Holt, Hope, Mocarski & Woodruff, 2018). These barriers with TGD clients. The implications of these findings could may include suboptimal care and even denied access to help guide the requirements for behavioral healthcare care (Redfern, 2014). The difficulty in obtaining adequate providers who work with TGD clients. healthcare is compounded in rural communities where there are already limited healthcare providers (Healthy

Graduate | 54 English settings. The 45th president, Donald Trump, frequently extemporaneously on social media. The language, Tessa Burford devices, and syntax of each are starkly different. It is nearly Mentor: Maria O’Malley impossible to compare the language and the methods Title: Literary Portraiture: Framed by Societal Constructs and modes of their language side by side; however, both American author Henry James’ novel, The Portrait of a men have great control over their base and have swayed Lady, semi-autobiographically explores the experiences voters to their opinions repeatedly. Each of these two and influences of travel abroad in Europe on the young men continues to be extremely persuasive and influential American individual, which has long been critically despite their contrasting styles. fascinating. The social restrictions placed on gender roles and the perception of the individual during the Victorian- History era, which was, ultimately, a period of intense social change, affected men and women, alike. The burden of David Blakely societal expectation is displayed and explored throughout Mentor: Douglas Biggs The Portrait of a Lady, particularly in its protagonist, Title: Mormon Church Participation in the Great War Effort: Isabel, and the way she is viewed, exhibited both as an The Coming of Age of a Nineteenth Century Religion understandable character and as an image to behold. When the United States of America entered the James’ novel also explores the flip-side by examining the World War I in 1917, a diverse population took up the repercussions of an absence of the same social obligations cause of international liberty and largely abandoned that seemed to plague Isabel, as evidenced in the character previous policies of isolationism. The Church of Jesus of Ralph. These societal expectations greatly influence the Christ of Latter-day Saints was one of the groups that choices and actions of individuals and these culturally- enthusiastically supported the war effort but also saw the constructed perspectives affect the way the characters conflict as an opportunity to prove their patriotism, and view themselves, their sense of responsibility as members their loyalty to America. However, the church encountered of society, and the way they are viewed and understood some unique challenges along the way that included the by readers. Even the most uniquely willful members of a need to justify violence towards the soldiers of the Central community are impacted by the culture of the society in Powers, create a policy regarding German-American which they live, as represented by Isabel. Her status as both members and members residing in Germany and other highly independent individual and foreigner abroad act enemy nations, and the expanding role of women in as a catalyst for exploring the tensions culminating during twentieth century society. the era, such as American values versus Romantic culture This paper will examine the war efforts organized by The and ideals, as well as the individual versus society and its Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through its local expectations. Whether in Ralph’s isolation from society congregations and church-wide service programs, and and liberation from traditional roles, Isabel’s abandoning discuss the effectiveness of the programs. It will also look of individualism for the preservation of social constructs, at the level of involvement of church leaders in each of or even just in the way the characters are viewed by these programs, and how the choice of activities reflected themselves, one another, and the reader, The Portrait of church doctrine and policy that was influenced by previous a Lady is teeming with examples of culturally enforced persecution by government agencies, and a perception that gender roles and the lasting effects of such on the psyche. the Mormon community did not accept the same values as the rest of the United States. Zach Weber Mentor: Maria O’Malley Justin Horn Title: Syntactical Patterns and Rhetorical Modes in Modern Mentor: Mary Ailes Political Discourse Title: Effects of Climate on the British Isles and English Civil Classical rhetorical cannons have given way to ad War hominem attacks in the wake of the exacerbated political The paper looks at the effect of climate, specifically polarization. Blatant character assassination in all levels the Little Ice Age, on seventeenth century Great Britain. of politics has become far more prevalent than respectful Climate is an important contributor to history, but is disagreement, concession to the opposition, or even veiled too often overlooked by historians. The Little Ice Age criticism. This essay objectively compares the rhetorical was a key contributor to troubles in the British Isles in methods used by presidents Donald Trump and Barack the seventeenth century. The climatic changes the Little Obama. The 44th president, Barrack Obama, was a Ice Age brought to the British Isles helped foster an skilled orator who used classical rhetorical methods and environment of strife which led to the English Civil War. presented prepared argumentative speeches in formal The cool climate effected military campaigns during the

55 | Graduate English Civil War. Also the changing climate effected wind Blake Weeder patterns making William of Orange’s invasion of England Mentor: David Vail during the Glorious Revolution possible. Title: Water, Fuel, and Forage: Environmental Realities and the Viability of Fort Kearny on the Platte Nathan Mauslein This project explores human-environmental relationships Mentor: Mary Ailes that shaped military decision-making at Fort Kearny and Title: An Empire Divided: The Rivalry between Austria and defined the viability of the outpost and its mission. The Prussia from the Prussian Perspective focus of this project is on human relationships forged Midway through the early modern period, Central Europe with the outpost’s surrounding ecology and the natural experienced a relatively rapid shift in the balance of power agency of local environmental factors. It argues that in the and the creation of a two-century long rivalry. The rivalry selection of a site for a military post on the Platte River, between the House of Habsburg in Austria and the House military engineers recognized “natural enemies” and of Hohenzollern in Prussia was formed over the course “natural allies” within the local environment. With the of the mid seventeenth century and the mid eighteenth necessitation of natural alliances in mind, components of century, with Habsburg Austria losing its hegemony over the environment deemed essential to the sustainability of Central Europe, and Hohenzollern Prussia rising from an American presence on the Platte and the nation’s ability Germanic backwater to a European superpower. This shift to secure and maintain an avenue for westward emigration in political fortune stems from three key events in Prussian were incorporated into the fort’s planning – demonstrating history, the Thirty Years War and Peace of Westphalia, the that Fort Kearny became both reliant on and an militaristic reign and creation of the Prussian military state extension of the local ecology. A discussion of natural under Friedrich Wilhelm I, and lastly the reign of Friedrich agency in this case study reveals the limits of human- II (Frederick the Great) and his opposition to Austria in environmental relationships, tracing environmental the Silesian Wars. Despite possessing a massive disparity impediments to the viability of a military outpost on the in the size of its land, population, and economy relative frontier, and its increasing reliance on larger, national to Austria, the Hohenzollern rulers turned Prussia into a environmental exchanges. Regional population expansion Spartan state that punched far above its weight, and as a and technological innovations during Nebraska’s tenure result became a direct challenge to Austria over the next as a Territory extends this discussion of Fort Kearny’s two centuries. dependence on a regional ecology, recharacterizing Meaghan Pasbrig the outpost’s place within growing territorial and transcontinental ecosystems of communication, economic Mentor: Jeff Wells Title: Camp Grant Massacre of 1871: The Trial exchange, and transportation, which both challenged the The Camp Grant Massacre was an unprecedented fort’s bonds with its immediate surrounding environment moment of unspeakable violence by a diverse group and questioned the necessity of a frontier outpost in a of Anglo-Americans, Mexican Americans, and Tohono changing world. O’odham Indians against Apache Indians who lived on Camp Grant in the southern part of the Arizona territory in Gregory F. Withrow Mentor: Mark Ellis 1871. The attacking group slaughtered 144 Apache women Title: Two Sides of One Coin: Base Differences Between and children at dawn on April 30, 1871. This tragic even World War II British and American Airborne Force was taken to trial where Apache Indians were ignored Structures and practically omitted from participating. The court The first combat employment Allied of gliders in World did not hear one testimony from an Apache Indian and War II initiated the invasion of Sicily in a tragic air assault after five days of trial the jury took nineteen minutes to upon the Mediterranean island. Delivering British infantry declare the offenders “not guilty.” After reviewing primary via tug aircraft towing a combination of Horsa and WACO documents and various secondary resources this paper gliders, British and American powered-aircraft aviators aims to review the trial that took place and evaluate the and glider pilots contended with the chaos of war, harsh quality of representation given to the Apache Indians weather, and even one another in Operation Ladbroke. The after this massacre. It was clear that this was an unfair tense relations between Allied pilots attempting to carry trial conducted through the lens of prejudice and unequal out the invasion led Glider Pilot Regiment commander practices in the court system in the Arizona territory in the British Lt. Col. George Chatterton to campaign for a late 1800’s. consolidation of British pilots, glidermen and paratroopers under one command after the resulting disaster. Suffering the fate of other men under his command, Chatterton’s glider landed in the darkness of the sea short of Sicily. His

Graduate | 56 first-hand experience inspired his efforts to restructure orators of the past and present often use the words of the Glider Pilot Regiment, but these hard-learned lessons wisdom from history. When President Abraham Lincoln never translated into American airborne force structure. delivered his second inaugural address, he depended Despite complaints from U.S. airborne commanders, on this shared history to bring the people of the country American paratroopers, glidermen and their pilots together to rebuild the nation toward the end of the Civil remained contentiously estranged until the very end of the War. This paper analyzes Lincoln’s Second Inaugural war—when 17th Airborne Division leaders called upon address and its permutation through quotation and glider pilots of Troop Carrier Command to fill a gap and allusion in American culture. In particular, I focus on the form an infantry company, fighting alongside one another line starting, “With malice toward none, with charity for all, as equals after landing on the eastern bank of the Rhine ….” The lines have been quoted and misquoted by many during Operation Varsity, March 24, 1945. It is impossible subsequent speakers and writers. But by reading the line figure how American airborne operations might have been in context of Lincoln’s speech, I argue that when speakers effected had a similar command structure to the British use words that allude to the past they create a shared of been adopted, but on this day the glider pilots proved their the past to promote a shared sense of belonging among capabilities in combat. citizens. Kinesiology & Sports Sciences John Rech Mentor: Megan Adkins Title: A Catalyst Between Two Different Realms of Education: The UNK Home School Physical Education Program The definition of a catalyst is a person or thing that precipitates or causes an event, provoking a significant change, action, or impact. The UNK home school physical education program can be considered the catalyst to better prepare our future educators in the area of physical education, and positively impact children who are home schooled. The UNK home school physical education program is a hybrid education opportunity, combining physical education teachings for Kindergarten through 8th grade home school children with the experiential and practical education opportunity for university pre-service teachers pursuing the physical education profession. This presentation will serve as a review of the research completed alongside this program and additional impacts the UNK home school physical education program has had on all entities involved since its inception. Teacher Education Tina Schumacher Mentor: Maria O’Malley Title: Deeper Understanding is Forged Through Allusion Political speechwriters search out the best possible words to express meaning their immediate audience and to audience who will be reached through other media. Captivating the audience is essential in order to be truly heard and one of the best ways to connect with an audience is to speak words they have heard before, to allude to messages from the past that carry emotional, logical, or moral (pathos, logos, ethos) weight. Political

57 | Graduate Index by Poster Number

Participant...... Poster # Heine, Andrew...... U09 Albrecht, Zachary...... U64 Higgins, Kimberly...... U83 Allgood, Alexa...... G01 Hinrichs, Shelby...... U68 Alms, Joslynne...... G08 Hirschman, Allison...... U84 Andreasen, Jake...... U20 Hoffert, Kendra...... U22, U25 Barnes, Jackson...... U30 Homburg, Terran...... U06 Bauer, Justine...... U75 Hyde, Olivia...... U47 Belgum, Brock...... U11 Ingersoll, Rene...... U10 Benz, Abigail...... U51 Jameson, Bricyn...... U63 Best, Rebecca...... U44 Janssen, Lena...... U66 Blair, Darienne...... U80 Jelinek, Bodhi...... U54 Bokoskie, Treyvon...... U52, U55 Johnson, Breana...... G10 Borgman, Abigail...... U21 Johnson, Kylie...... U91 Buettner, Tera...... U53 Kaiser, Emily...... U85 Buttermore, Gabrielle...... U31 Kashyap, Akshay...... U52, U55 Capellen, Caleb...... U32 Keckler, Sydney...... U37 Carrillo, KC...... U22, U25 Kent, Nicole...... U19 Casper, Tierney...... U05 King, Robyn...... G01 Chavez, Guadalupe...... U29 Kizer, Taylor...... U77 Christner, Claire...... U07, U64 Kleier, Derek...... U33 Cissel, Jerromy...... U81 Kluthe, Kennedy...... U38 Codina, Audrey...... U33, U43 Kostenbauer, Matthew...... U12 Combs, Tate...... U08 Kratochville, Michael...... U56 Conell, Braydon...... U17 Laub, Emily...... U39 Conroy, Klint...... G02 Lee, Emma...... U02 Cool, Macy...... U34 Lemmer, Nathan...... U67 Crisman, Devyn...... U51 Leuck, Kacy...... U69, U71 Cruise, Brennen...... U09 Liesemeyer, Shelby...... U44 Daubert, Trevor...... U38 Lindenberger, Joshua...... U40 Degner, Theodore...... U03, U64 Line, Kevin...... U86 Dobesh, Breana...... U35 Linke, Kloreace...... G02 Dolphin, Jocelyn...... U59 Macke, Amanda...... U41 Eddy, Elaina...... G09 Markham, Ashley...... U12 Ernest, Kenneth...... U53 Martinez, Karina...... U29 Fields, Andrew...... U82 Masters, Cody...... U59 Fischer, Jared...... U36 McBride, Gretchen...... G03 Fischer, Matthew...... U01 McCown, Amanda...... U51 Fisher, Laura...... U23 Menard, Amber...... U45 Fritson, Andrew...... U62 Menke, Bryant...... U57 Gomez-Ramos, Adrian...... U18 Menke, Kelsey...... U42 Gould, Courtney...... U76 Meusch, Rebecca...... U43 Guerra, Brian...... U64 Moeller, Molly...... U78 Hall, Colton...... U61 Moseman, Bobbie...... U70 Hallberg, Autumn...... U24 Nabb, Daniel...... U38 Harwager, Courtney...... U74 Nemecek, Makayla...... U44

Index | 58 Nolda, Jenn...... U87 Novicki, Sam...... U58 Opbroek, Callie...... U79 Ortega, Jose...... U32 Ostdiek, Seth...... U45 Page, Alexis...... U38 Pawloski, Kaitlyn...... U71 Perez, Guadalupe...... U92 Pflaum, Annie...... U04 Pineda, Kaitlyn...... U45 Pitzer, Justine...... U46 Pleak, Madison...... G06 Polinko, Tom...... G01 Porter, Anna...... U65 Priebe, Alaini...... U47 Pulver, Riley...... U48 Raders, Emma...... U49 Rasher-Miller, Tanya...... G04 Rau, Samantha...... U59 Renken, Noah...... U26 Rienhart, Lynsdy...... G07 Ringenberg, Jourdan...... U16 Roush, Haley...... U11 Russell, Jaden...... U12 Sandman, Jacob...... G05 Schendt, Courtney...... G06 Schmitz, Hanna...... U60 Schultis, Kaitlyn...... U50 Sjomeling, Carlynn...... G06 Southard, Rachel...... G11 Srivastava, Rishav...... U37 Stoner, Laura...... U59 Stoner, Mallory...... U88 Strong, Taylor...... G02 Sutton, Zach...... U89 Towery, Lesley...... U51 Ulrich, Matt...... G01 Unvert, Katelyn...... U15 Vera, Christian...... U27 Vonderfecht, April...... U59 Waddell, Dakota...... U90 Walter, Jessie...... G06 Wells, Alyssa...... U61 Wilson, Taylor...... U82 Winfield, Natasha...... U13, U14 Wingard, Maci...... U72 Wolfe, Hannah...... U61 Wright, Justin...... U28 Wroblewski, Misty...... G07 Zakrzewski, Paula...... U16 Zalman, Sky...... U73

59 | Index Index of Participants

Participant...... Page # Frankenberg, Kati...... 37 Albrecht, Zachary...... 22 Fritchse, Lydia...... 36 Allgood, Alexa...... 46 Fritson, Andrew...... 22 Alms, Joslynne...... 48 Gifford, Megan...... 38 Andreasen, Jake...... 10 Gomez-Ramos, Adrian...... 9 Augustyn, Evan...... 37 Gould, Courtney...... 27 Baeringer, Jasmine...... 42 Grant, Mia...... 42 Barnes, Jackson...... 13 Guerra, Brian...... 22 Bauer, Justine...... 26 Hall, Colton...... 21, 37 Belgum, Brock...... 8 Hallberg, Autumn...... 11 Bell, Ruby...... 54 Hamilton, Luke...... 36 Benz, Abigail...... 19 Hanzlik, Brittany...... 37 Best, Rebecca...... 17 Harrison, Chase...... 38 Blair, Darienne...... 28 Harwager, Courtney...... 26 Blakely, David...... 55 Hawney, Elizabeth...... 43 Bokoskie, Treyvon...... 19, 20 Heine, Andrew...... 7 Borgman, Abigail...... 10 Higgins, Kimberly...... 29 Buettner, Tara...... 20 Hinrichs, Shelby...... 24 Burford, Tessa...... 55 Hirschman, Allison...... 29 Buttermore, Gabrielle...... 13 Hoffert, Kendra...... 10, 11 Capellen, Caleb...... 13, 36 Hoffmann, Alyssa...... 43 Carrillo, KC...... 10, 11 Homburg, Terran...... 6 Casper, Tierney...... 6 Horn, Justin...... 55 Chavez, Guadalupe...... 12 Hyde, Olivia...... 18, 36 Christner, Claire...... 7, 22 Iloghalu, Cynthia...... 39 Cissel, Jerromy...... 28 Ingersoll, Rene...... 7 Codina, Audrey...... 13, 16 Jameson, Bricyn...... 22 Combs, Tate...... 7 Janssen, Lena...... 23 Conell, Braydon...... 9 Jelinek, Bodhi...... 20 Conroy, Klint...... 46 Johnson, Breana...... 48 Cool, Macy...... 14 Johnson, Kylie...... 31 Crisman, Devyn...... 19 Kaiser, Emily...... 29 Cruise, Brennen...... 7 Kashyap, Akshay...... 19, 20 Daubert, Trevor...... 15 Keckler, Sydney...... 15 Degner, Theodore...... 5, 22 Kent, Nicole...... 10 Dobesh, Breana...... 14 King, Robyn...... 46, 54 Dolphin, Jocelyn...... 21 Kizer, Taylor...... 27 Eddy, Elaina...... 48 Kleier, Derek...... 13 Ernest, Kenneth...... 20 Kluthe, Kennedy...... 15 Fields, Andrew...... 28 Kostenbauer, Matthew...... 8 Finke, Karissa...... 37 Kratochville, Michael...... 20 Fischer, Jared...... 14 Laub, Emily...... 15 Fischer, Matthew...... 5 Lee, Emma...... 5 Fisher, Laura...... 11 Lemmer, Nathan...... 24 Fizgerald, Clarissa...... 36 Leuck, Kacy...... 24, 25

Index | 60 Liesemeyer, Shelby...... 17 Sandman, Jacob...... 47 Lindenberger, Joshua...... 15 Schendt, Courtney...... 47 Line, Kevin...... 29 Schlater, Shannon...... 53 Linke, Kloreace...... 46 Schmidt, Roman...... 36 Macke, Amanda...... 16 Schmitz, Hanna...... 21 Marchand, Cannon...... 39 Schultis, Kaitlyn...... 18 Markham, Ashley...... 8 Schumacher, Tina...... 57 Martinez, Karina...... 12 Sjomeling, Carolynn...... 47 Masters, Cody...... 21 Southard, Rachel...... 49 Mauslein, Nathan...... 56 Springer, Seth...... 37 McBride, Gretchen...... 46 Srivastava, Rishav...... 15 McCown, Amanda...... 19 Stall, Macey...... 40 Menard, Amber...... 17 Steinhauer, Megan...... 40 Menke, Bryant...... 21 Stewart, Taylor...... 40 Menke, Kelsey...... 16 Stoner, Laura...... 21, 37 Meusch, Rebecca...... 16 Stoner, Mallory...... 30 Moeller, Molly...... 27 Strong, Taylor...... 46 Moseman, Bobbie...... 25 Sutton, Zach...... 30 Murphy, Chloe...... 41 Tilley, Danielle...... 41 Nabb, Daniel...... 15 Towery, Lesley...... 19 Naylor, Megan...... 54 Ulrich, Matt...... 46 Nemecek, Makayla...... 17 Unvert, Katelyn...... 8 Nolda, Jenn...... 30 Venteicher, Brooklynn...... 37 Novicki, Sam...... 21 Vera, Christian...... 12 Olson, Evan...... 41 Vonderfecht, April...... 21 Opbroek, Callie...... 27 Waddell, Dakota...... 31 Ortega, Jose...... 13, 36 Walter, Jessie...... 47 Ostdiek, Seth...... 17 Weber, Zach...... 55 Page, Alexis...... 15 Weeder, Blake...... 56 Pasbrig, Meaghan...... 56 Wells, Alyssa...... 21 Pawloski, Kaitlyn...... 25 Willmore, Cody...... 53 Perez, Guadalupe...... 31 Wilson, Taylor...... 28 Petersen, Makenzie...... 42 Winfield, Natasha...... 8 Pflaum, Annie...... 6 Wingard, Maci...... 25 Pineda, Kaitlyn...... 17 Withrow, Gregory...... 56 Pitzer, Justine...... 17 Witthuhn, Parker...... 40 Pleak, Madison...... 47 Wolfe, Hannah...... 21 Polinko, Tom...... 46 Woltman, Jenilee...... 38 Porter, Anna...... 23 Wood, Erica...... 39 Priebe, Alaini...... 18, 36 Wright, Justin...... 12 Pulver, Riley...... 18 Wroblewski, Misty...... 47 Raders, Emma...... 18 Yamauchi, Minori...... 33 Ramirez, Jesus...... 42 Zakrzewski, Paula...... 9 Rasher-Miller, Tanya...... 46 Zalman, Sky...... 26 Rau, Samantha...... 21 Rech, John...... 57 Reinson, Miranda...... 52 Renken, Noah...... 11 Rinehart, Lynsdy...... 47 Ringenberg, Jourdan...... 9, 52 Ritson, Robert...... 53 Roush, Haley...... 8 Russell, Jaden...... 8

61 | Index

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